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News18
27-06-2025
- News18
Caught On Video: Passengers Flee In Panic As South Korean Man Sets Metro Carriage Ablaze
Last Updated: A 67-year-old South Korean man, Won, set fire to a packed Seoul Metro carriage on May 31, injuring six and causing $220,000 in damages. Terrifying CCTV footage captured the moment a 67-year-old South Korean man set fire to a packed metro carriage in Seoul, sending commuters scrambling for their lives. The man, identified by his surname Won, has since been charged with attempted murder, arson and violating the Railroad Safety Act. The incident occurred on May 31 during peak hours on the Seoul Metro. In the footage released by the court, Won is seen reaching into his bag, pulling out a bottle and pouring flammable liquid across the floor as well as around passengers. Within seconds, chaos erupts in the metro carriage as commuters are seen dashing for exits and slipping on the fuel-slick floor. As the passengers escaped, flames engulfed the carriage, as captured in the clip. Watch video here: Authorities said that Won's actions endangered the lives of 160 passengers- of which six people were injured and 23 others were treated at hospitals for smoke inhalation and related injuries. The fire caused over 300 million won (approximately £161,000 / $220,000) in damages as one metro carriage was completely destroyed while two others sustained heavy smoke damage, local media reported. Location : South Korea First Published: June 27, 2025, 16:00 IST
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Straits Times
Seoul subway fire: Man, 67, charged with attempted murder, arson
The man, a 67-year-old surnamed Won, had on May 31 allegedly set a train carriage ablaze. PHOTOS: THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK 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. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
