Daijiworld Media Network- Seoul

Seoul, Jun 27: In a disturbing turn of events that shocked commuters and authorities alike, a 67-year-old man identified by his surname Won has been formally indicted for allegedly setting fire to a moving subway train in Seoul in what prosecutors claim was a rage-fueled act triggered by his divorce.

The horrifying incident occurred on May 31, inside a subway car on Seoul Metro’s Line 5, as it was moving between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations — an undersea section of the tunnel beneath the Han River. According to the Seoul Southern District Prosecutors’ Office, Won faces a slew of serious charges including attempted murder, arson of a moving vehicle, and violations of the Railway Safety Act.

As per official reports, Won doused a section of the train with gasoline and then set his own clothes ablaze to ignite the fire, sending smoke billowing through the car and causing panic among passengers. Authorities revealed that the accused had been emotionally unstable following a recent divorce, which is suspected to have driven him to commit the dangerous act.

The blaze left 22 passengers hospitalised due to smoke inhalation, while 129 others were treated at the scene for minor injuries and trauma. Won himself sustained burns and was taken to a hospital under custody. The incident caused property damage estimated at 330 million won, including the destruction of a subway car.

Emergency responders rushed to the site and managed to bring the situation under control swiftly, averting what could have been a far deadlier tragedy.

Authorities have stated that Won will face trial in the coming weeks, with prosecutors pressing for a stringent sentence, citing deliberate endangerment of public safety and pre-meditated intent to harm.

Meanwhile, Seoul Metro has begun an internal review of safety protocols and passenger evacuation measures in light of the incident.