9 hours ago
Watch: Pensioner sets tube on fire in Seoul
A South Korean pensioner accused of setting fire to a busy metro carriage has been charged with attempted murder and arson.
A short CCTV clip released by the court shows the terrifying moment the 67-year-old man in a white cap is alleged to launched his attack in Seoul, the capital, apparently out of spite following a recent divorce, according to reports.
He reaches for a bottle inside his bag, and seconds later is pouring a flammable liquid across the train floor and the commuters around him.
Unnerved passengers scramble to get out of the carriage – in the rush, one woman slams into the floor after slipping on the liquid, losing her shoes in the process.
But within 10 seconds the metro car is empty, a phone and black rucksack among the items left behind in the frenzy to flee. Moments later, the pensioner has ignited the blaze and the train goes up in flames.
The incident took place on May 31 and the man, referred to by his surname Won, has been accused of endangering the lives of 160 passengers on board, while causing damages estimated at more than 300 million won (£161,000).
'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,' the prosecution said, according to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.
'If the evacuation had been delayed, the possibility of casualties would have been very high.'
According to the newspaper Korea JoongAng, Won was charged with violating the Railroad Safety Act. Soon after the blaze first occurred, news outlets reported that the man ignited the fire out of spite, following a court decision related to his recent divorce.
Six people were injured during the blaze and 23 taken to hospital to be treated for smoke inhalation and sprains – including Won, who was arrested shortly after the incident took place.
