Arson suspect in Seoul subway fire in custody; over 400 people evacuated, 21 in hospital for minor injuries

Passengers evacuate through a tunnel after a suspected arson fire breaks out on a Seoul subway train between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations around 8:47 a.m. on Friday. - Yonhap via The Korea Herald/ANN

SEOUL: A man suspected of setting fire on a Seoul subway train on Line 5 has been arrested, police said Saturday morning (May 31).

The 60-something man, carrying a jerrycan of gasoline and a torch lighter, was apprehended near Yeouinaru Station at around 9:45 a.m., about an hour after the fire broke out between Yeouinaru and the next stop, Mapo Station, in western Seoul.