Seoul subway fire: Man, 67, charged with attempted murder, arson
A man was charged on June 25 with attempted murder and arson, among other charges, after he allegedly started a fire on a subway train in Seoul in May.
The man, a 67-year-old surnamed Won, had on May 31 allegedly set a train carriage ablaze, resulting in estimated damages of over $300 million won (S$281,484) and endangering the lives of nearly 160 commuters on board.
'Spraying a large amount of gasoline on a subway used by an unspecified number of passengers and then setting it on fire, causing a large-scale fire and spreading toxic gases, is an act of murder tantamount to terrorism,' said the prosecution, as reported by Korean news agency Yonhap .
'If the evacuation had been delayed, the possibility of casualties would have been very high.'
Yonhap reported that six people were injured, and 23 others, including Won himself, taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation following the incident.
The fire destroyed part of one subway car, with smoke damage to two others.
The man was also charged with violating the Railroad Safety Act, reported Korean newspaper Korea JoongAng Daily .
Surveillance camera footage of the incident showed a man emptying a bottle of petrol onto the floor of a train carriage, reported Yonhap. Passengers can be seen attempting to flee, as the man ignites the petrol with a lighter.
Won was arrested shortly after the incident.
Korean media had previously cited the police as saying that the man had started the fire out of spite towards the Korean court's decision about his recent divorce the month before.
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