South Korea: Man Arrested for Subway Arson After Hundreds Flee Through Tunnel

Seoul – South Korean police have arrested a man in his 60s suspected of starting a fire aboard a subway train in Seoul on Saturday, forcing hundreds of passengers to evacuate through a tunnel, officials confirmed.

According to Yonhap News Agency, the man allegedly used a lighter-style torch and a fuel container to ignite pieces of clothing on Subway Line 5, between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations, at 8:47 a.m. local time.

The fire prompted over 400 passengers to flee the train through the tunnel. Twenty-one people were taken to the hospital with injuries, including smoke inhalation and a fractured ankle. Fortunately, no serious injuries have been reported.

Quick-thinking passengers and the train conductor initially used fire extinguishers to contain the blaze, which was fully put out by 10:24 a.m. Authorities dispatched around 230 personnel, including firefighters and police, to the scene.

The suspect was caught near Yeouinaru Station at 9:45 a.m., less than an hour after the incident, following a brief attempt to flee.

Subway services between Yeouido and Aeogae stations were temporarily suspended but resumed by 10:06 a.m.

Police are now investigating the motive behind the arson and plan to conduct a forensic examination of the train. The investigation is ongoing, with more details expected to emerge.

With inputs from IANS