At least nine dead in central Seoul as car ploughs into pedestrians

Nine people have been killed and four others injured after a car hit pedestrians waiting at a traffic light in central Seoul.

The passenger car drove in the wrong direction and collided with two other cars moments before hitting the pedestrians on Monday evening, South Korean media reports said.

The vehicle was driving backwards at the time of the accident, according to eyewitness accounts.

The Korea Herald reported that a man in his 60s was arrested at the scene and the driver is reportedly claiming that the accident was caused by a sudden acceleration of the vehicle.

Emergency officer Kim Chun-su told a briefing that one of the four injured was in serious condition.

President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered his safety minister and emergency agency chief to try their best to aid the victims.

A police official told Reuters officers were investigating at the scene, and declined to give further information.

YTN TV reported that the vehicle rammed into pedestrians standing on the crosswalk after hitting two other cars.

A police officer was administering CPR to a person on the ground at the site of the accident, according to a video provided by a witness to Reuters.