A 67 -year -old man in South Korea was charged with ignition of a moving metro train in Seoul, allegedly in a bout of rage over his divorce. The shocking incident, which left several passengers of the injured, raised concerns about public security and mental health problems.
The accused, identified by his surname, allegedly poured gasoline on a running train on Seoul Subway Line 5 and built it as he walked through the underwater tunnel between Yeouinar and Mapo 31.
According to the Office of the Public Prosecutor’s Office in Southern District, Won was accused of attempted murder, Arson on a moving vehicle and a violation of the Railway Security Act. The authorities stated that he had committed an act of frustration over the result of his divorce proceedings.
The worrying footage of the incident, now widely shared on social media, shows a man walking in a metro coach with a bottle in his hand and poured flammable fluid on the floor. A moment later he lights himself and the surroundings and causes panic among passengers.
Blaze left six passengers of the injured, while 23 others – including the accused – were treated for inhalation of smoke. A total of 129 people received emergency medical assistance.
According to Chosun Daily, public property damage was estimated at more than 330 million (approximately £2 crore), with one metro car.
Won was transferred to the prosecutor 9 June after police custody. The authorities argue that the investigation is underway to assess gaps in the area of metro security and prevent these incidents in the future.
Meanwhile, the South Korean police detained six US citizens who tried to deliver about 1300 plastic bottles of filled rice, dollar notes and the Bible to North Korea, a police officer said on Friday.
The group tried to float bottles by sea on the island of Iceland west of the capital of Seoul near the isolated north before it was seen by a military patrol, told Reuters an official at the Incheon Gaghwa police station.
(Tagstotranslate) Korean man starts fire on metro
