How Did 25 People Get Hurt in 4 Pile-Ups Across Jeonnam-Gwangju in One Morning?

Quick answer: Four separate pile-ups across Jeonnam-Gwangju on the morning of Saturday 31 October 2026 left 25 people injured. The most serious involved a tour bus that ran a red light and struck a fire engine at a T-junction in Yeongam, injuring 15 people. No deaths were reported in any of the four crashes.

Key facts

• What: Four separate multi-vehicle pile-ups
• Where: Yeongam, Mokpo and Naju, Jeonnam-Gwangju, South Korea
• When: Morning of 31 October 2026, between 10:41 and 12:02
• Reported toll: 25 injured; no deaths reported
• Emergency number: 112 (police) / 119 (ambulance)
• Status: Police investigations under way
• Source: Maeil Business News Korea (www.mk.co.kr), 31 October 2026

What happened in Yeongam

At about 12:02 on 31 October, at a T-shaped junction in Yeongam-gun, a tour bus that ran a red light struck a fire engine that was returning to its station and turning left. The collision injured 15 people in total: 4 firefighters and 11 people travelling on the bus. All 15 suffered minor injuries and were taken to nearby hospitals.

Police said the bus ran the red light and struck the fire engine as it was turning left, and have booked the bus driver, identified only as Mr A, for a Road Traffic Act offence. The exact circumstances are still under investigation.

What happened in Mokpo

Earlier, at about 11:17, a four-vehicle pile-up happened on a road in Yeonsan-dong, Mokpo. Five people were injured: a man in his 50s, two women in their 40s, a six-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl.

Police believe the pile-up happened because a leading vehicle braked suddenly, and are investigating the detailed circumstances.

What happened in Naju

At about 10:41, an eight-vehicle pile-up happened on a road in Pyeongsan-dong, Naju. Five people were injured, including a man in his 50s, a pregnant woman in her 40s, a 16-year-old student and a three-year-old boy, and were taken to hospital.

At about 11:16, a nine-vehicle pile-up happened on a road in Budeok-dong, Naju, but no one was hurt.

What happens next

Police are investigating the detailed circumstances of each crash. In the Yeongam case the bus driver has already been booked for a Road Traffic Act offence. Further updates are expected as police complete their inquiries.

Frequently asked questions

How many people were injured in the Jeonnam-Gwangju pile-ups?

25 people were reported injured across the four crashes: 15 in Yeongam, 5 in Mokpo and 5 in Naju. No deaths were reported, and the injuries in the Yeongam crash were described as minor.

Where did the crashes happen?

In Yeongam-gun, Mokpo and Naju, in the Jeonnam-Gwangju area of South Korea, on the morning of 31 October 2026.

What caused the crashes?

Police believe the Yeongam crash happened when a tour bus ran a red light and hit a fire engine, and the Mokpo pile-up when a leading vehicle braked suddenly. The causes of the two Naju pile-ups have not been reported.

What is the emergency number in South Korea?

Dial 112 (police) / 119 (ambulance).