Remains of Israeli woman killed in bus accident to return home Monday

The remains of the Israeli woman who died in the bus accident in the North Chungcheong city of Chungju will be flown back to Israel Monday.
As many as 19 of the 32 injured Israelis were discharged from hospitals as of Sunday, while other patients...

The bus carrying 33 Israeli travelers flipped over to its side in Chungju, North Chungcheong, on Thursday. [NEWS1]

The remains of the Israeli woman who died in the bus accident in Chungju, North Chungcheong, will be flown back to Israel Monday.

As many as 19 of the 32 injured Israelis were discharged from hospitals as of Sunday, while other patients still hospitalized continue to receive treatment, including surgeries, according to the Embassy of Israel in Korea.

A tour bus carrying 33 Israeli tourists and one Korean tour guide flipped over after losing control while going up a hill, approaching the tourists' accommodation in Suanbo-myeon in Chungju on Thursday.

The bus driver, a man in his 60s, told authorities that the transmission didn't work properly while he was driving up the hill. He was booked by police for further investigation on the charge of involuntary manslaughter.

The bus skidded downhill backward and hit a few trees before it flipped over to its left side, according to authorities. The National Forensic Service was inspecting the bus as of Sunday.

Many of the passengers weren't wearing their seatbelts because they had nearly arrived at their accommodation, according to the tour guide.

Both the bus driver and the tour guide were also hospitalized. The tour guide was discharged on Sunday.

The injured Israeli travelers ranged in age from their 50s to 70s and had been traveling in southern Korea from April 6, making stops in Busan, Gyeongju and Andong of North Gyeongsang before traveling to Chungju.

Some of the discharged Israelis were expected to fly back to Israel this week.

The Embassy of Israel in Korea said Sunday there was no special chartered flight being prepared for their return, contrary to media reports.

Foreign Minister Park Jin conveyed his condolences for the victims and their families during his phone call with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen on Friday.

Park explained the details of the rescue activities and the continued support the Korean government was planning to provide, such as interpreters and assistance for any victim's families who wish to fly to Korea, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Cohen was said to have expressed his gratitude to the Korean authorities and medical staff's response and requested Korea's continued support.

Two medical teams from Israel traveled to Korea to assist with the medical treatment of the injured Israeli travelers.

BY ESTHER CHUNG [chung.juhee@joongang.co.kr]