Tourist bus overturns near Paju DMZ observatory, injuring 10

A tourist bus overturned on an uphill road near Dora Observatory in Paju, injuring multiple passengers.

Fire department authorities said a 45-seat tourist bus carrying 21 passengers tipped onto its left side at around 11:24 a.m. Saturday on a road near Dora Observatory, part of the DMZ Peace Tourism route, in Dorasan-ri, Jangdan-myeon, Paju, Gyeonggi Province.

Ten tourists on board were injured, including nationals from the United States, Spain and the Dominican Republic. Two sustained serious injuries and eight suffered minor injuries. All were transported to hospitals in Uijeongbu, Paju and Goyang in Gyeonggi Province. All passengers evacuated on their own immediately after the accident, and no additional casualties were reported.

Fire department authorities dispatched 30 personnel and equipment to the scene after receiving the emergency call and carried out rescue operations. Police and fire officials believe the bus rolled backward and lost balance when it attempted to set off again after stopping on an uphill stretch near the Dora Observatory parking lot.

Police are investigating the exact cause of the accident and whether a vehicle defect was involved, based on statements from witnesses and the driver that the bus slid backward after stopping before departure.