The crash created chaos in the downtown area of the South Korean city.

Of the nine fatalities, six died at the scene, while three were transported to a hospital in cardiac arrest and later pronounced dead, reported Yonhap.

One of the injured persons has returned home but the rest are in a critical state.

The vehicle was driving in the wrong direction and collided with two vehicles before hitting people, police told Yonhap.

The driver of the vehicle has been apprehended.

The initial reports showed he was not under the influence of alcohol.

President Yoon Suk Yeol was briefed on the accident and ordered Interior Minister Lee Sang-min and other aides to make "all-out" efforts to save and treat the victims, reported Yonhap.

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon rushed to the spot and described the mishap as 'sad'.

Police have started investigating the exact circumstances which led to the mishap.