Fire halts subway services between Yeouido and Aeogae stations in Seoul

Police restricts access to Mapo Station on Saturday morning after a fire broke on Line No.5 subway traveling between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations. [NEWS1]

Subway services between Yeouido and Aeogae stations on Line No. 5 have been suspended due to a fire on Saturday morning, according to Seoul Metro. 
 
The fire broke out while the train was traveling between Yeouinaru and Mapo stations, the metro service said. The fire has since been extinguished.
 
The fire was reported at 8:43 a.m., and it is suspected that an older male passenger had set the fire inside the train using gasoline, according to local authorities. 
 
The suspect attempted to escape but was arrested by police at Yeouinaru Station.
 
The fire was put out with an extinguisher placed inside the train carriage.
 
No casualties have been reported as of press time, authorities said.
 
Banghwa-bound trains on Line No. 5 are running normally but are passing through Mapo Station without stopping. The Hanam and Macheon-bound trains have suspended operations between Yeouido and Aeogae stations, the metro service said.
 
Passengers have reportedly been evacuated through a tunnel.
 
Updated, May 31:Added information about possible cause of fire.
 
 
 

BY JIN EUN-SOO [jin.eunsoo@joongang.co.kr]