26.06.2025 13:50
In the capital of South Korea, Seoul, a man set fire to a subway car due to the stress and anger he experienced during his divorce process. The incident caused great panic during the morning rush hour. The attacker poured gasoline from his backpack onto the floor of the car and ignited it. During the fire, the inside of the train was filled with thick black smoke, and one car was completely engulfed in flames.
A man who lost control due to the stress and anger he experienced during the divorce process caused a disaster in the Seoul metro. The 67-year-old attacker, who poured gasoline and set fire to a crowded metro car, is now being prosecuted for multiple serious crimes, including "attempted murder."
The incident occurred around 08:40 AM on May 31 in Seoul, the capital of South Korea. This event, which took place on Metro Line 5, which carries approximately one million passengers daily, caused great panic during the morning rush hour. The man wearing a white hat poured gasoline from his backpack onto the floor of the car. According to security camera footage, while some passengers tried to understand what was happening, others attempted to escape in panic. Some passengers even fell while running. The attacker calmly sat down in a seat and ignited the fire.
The flames quickly engulfed the entire car. Passengers in adjacent cars fled without trying to understand what was happening when they noticed the fire. Some passengers warned others while moving to different cars, while others desperately tried to escape in the train's interior corridors. Soon, the inside of the train was filled with thick black smoke, and one car was completely consumed by flames.
In another security camera footage, hundreds of passengers can be seen trapped in another car, helping each other to escape. At the time the fire broke out, the train was moving through the tunnel section under the Han River. The fire started between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations. The rapid spread of smoke in the enclosed space further increased the level of panic.
Authorities reported that 22 passengers were affected by smoke and taken to the hospital, while 129 others were treated at the scene. Thanks to the quick evacuation inside the train and the passengers helping each other, a larger disaster was narrowly averted.
The police identified the attacker as "Mr. Won." It was stated that the 67-year-old suspect had recently gone through a divorce process and was therefore going through a psychologically difficult period. However, this does not justify his actions that endangered the lives of hundreds of people. Mr. Won has been charged with attempted murder, setting fire to a working public transport vehicle, and violating railway safety laws.
Following the incident, there was a temporary closure of the metro line, and authorities announced that they would review security measures on trains. The people of Seoul called for stricter inspections and the implementation of psychological support systems to prevent such a horrific event from happening again.