The suspect who set a fire on Seoul's subway Line 5 on the 31st reportedly stated that he committed the act out of dissatisfaction with the outcome of his divorce proceedings.
The Yeongdeungpo Police Station in Seoul has arrested a man in his 60s, referred to as Mr. A, on suspicion of setting the fire inside a train running towards Mapo Station at around 9:45 a.m. on that day.
Mr. A reportedly elaborated during the police investigation that personal issues, including dissatisfaction with the divorce outcome with his wife, motivated his actions. The police are expected to request an arrest warrant for Mr. A as early as next month on the 1st.
It was revealed that Mr. A sprinkled a flammable liquid inside the train while it was traveling through the tunnel section between Yeouinaru Station and Mapo Station at around 8:43 a.m. and then set his clothing on fire.
Immediately after the incident, Mr. A was apprehended by police who found him suspicious when they noticed soot on his hands while he was being carried out on a stretcher to the platform at Yeouinaru Station. Items believed to be arson tools, including a lighter and glass bottles, were collected from the scene, and police are investigating the exact circumstances of the crime.
At that time, approximately 400 passengers were on the train. As smoke spread inside the car, the passengers opened the doors manually and evacuated along the tracks.
The fire was extinguished in about 20 minutes by the train driver and passengers using fire extinguishers. As a result of the incident, 21 passengers were transported to the hospital due to smoke inhalation, abrasions, and ankle fractures, while 130 received first aid on the scene.