Morning after heavy snowfall sees slippery roads, multiple pile-ups

People walk along a street near Chungmuro Station in Seoul, Friday. Newsis

The morning rush hour scene in Seoul on Friday was a testament to the previous night's heavy snowfall as people treaded carefully on icy roads and cars collided in multiple pile-ups.

The capital city received its first snow of the season Thursday evening, with 4.7 centimeters of snow accumulated in northern Dobong Ward and 4.2 cm in eastern Gangdong Ward as of 8 a.m. Friday.

Much of the snow had turned into ice overnight as subzero temperatures persisted, with the mercury in Seoul dropping to minus 6.7 degrees Celsius at 8 a.m.

Snowplows sprayed calcium chloride on streets, but commuters heading to work were met with icy roads and congested public transportation.

"The way to the bus stop was downhill, so it was very slippery," a 28-year-old office worker surnamed Kim said at a stop near Seodaemun Station. "It was only a 2-minute distance but not easy to walk."

Two men tread carefully on an icy path near Itaewon Station in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Six people were spotted falling in succession on a slippery road near Sinpung Station. Many people held on to rails as they walked down the stairs to catch the subway.

Buses arrived late due to slow traffic and departed full, while passengers left behind got on a nearly empty next bus that came shortly afterward.

All road closures caused by the snow were lifted by morning, but car accidents were reported citywide.

A 12-car pile-up was reported near Mokdong Bridge at 5:24 a.m., and two people involved in the accident were taken to hospitals, according to firefighting authorities.

Subway services were increased by 20 runs during the morning rush hour, while the morning peak bus dispatch hours were extended by 30 minutes, according to the Seoul metropolitan government.