Of the 16 passengers, nine were foreign nationals, including a Thai man, 44, a fire department official said.

Four were confirmed dead on the scene. The driver, a 61-year-old woman surnamed Kang, and two migrant workers are among the four fatalities.

Three people were seriously injured and nine suffered minor injuries. They have been sent to three nearby hospitals: Taebaek Central Hospital, Gangneung Asan Hospital and Samcheok Medical Center.

The victims had departed from Hongseong, South Chungcheong Province, early Monday morning to work at a vegetable farm in Bonghwa, North Gyeongsang Province, authorities said. It is believed the driver took the wrong road before the crash.

Samcheok Police said the 15-passenger van was not overloaded. Traffic law allows a 10 percent excess in vehicle’s passenger capacity. Police also said the van will be sent to National Forensic Service for inspection.

By Kim Arin (arin@heraldcorp.com)