A tour bus overturned in Yeongwol, Gangwon Province, leaving 17 passengers injured.

The Gangwon Yeongwol Fire Station stated that the accident occurred at around 9:00 AM today (August 16), when a bus traveling toward Yeongwol past the Neuljae Tunnel in Ssangyong-ri, Hanbando-myeon, Yeongwol-gun, collided with a roadside retaining wall and flipped over.

Out of the 18 people on board, one suffered serious injuries, including a broken arm, and 16 sustained minor injuries, all being transported to hospitals.

Fire authorities believe the accident happened when the moving bus tried to avoid another vehicle cutting in, causing it to crash into the retaining wall and overturn.

After receiving the report, fire authorities activated the multiple casualty response system at 9:04 AM and requested a joint response from the North Chungcheong Fire Headquarters at 9:07 AM.

Rescue teams arrived at the scene at 9:08 AM and rescued all 18 passengers by around 9:30 AM.

A total of 32 fire and police personnel along with 14 pieces of equipment were deployed to the scene.

Police plan to investigate the exact cause of the accident by questioning the driver and witnesses.

(Photo provided by Gangwon State Fire Headquarters, Yonhap News)