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Man attempts arson on Daegu subway with insecticide, lighter; citizen intervenes
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Crime & Justice

Man attempts arson on Daegu subway with insecticide, lighter; citizen intervenes

From Dong-A Ilbo · (11m ago) Korean Mixed tone

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A man was arrested for attempting to set fire to a subway car in Daegu, South Korea, using insecticide and a lighter.
  • A citizen intervened and extinguished the flames, preventing a major incident.
  • The citizen was recognized for their bravery, and the suspect was sent to prosecutors on charges of violating the railway safety act.

A moment of panic unfolded on a Daegu subway, but the quick thinking and bravery of a fellow passenger averted a potential disaster. As the train traveled between stations, a man began spraying insecticide and attempting to ignite it with a lighter. Fortunately, another passenger, identified only as Mr. A, immediately intervened. He bravely stomped out the flames and physically blocked the assailant, preventing him from reigniting the fire or causing further harm.

This incident highlights the courage of ordinary citizens who step up in critical moments. The Daegu Transportation Corporation recognized Mr. A's actions with a plaque and a reward, acknowledging his role in preventing a major accident. Mr. A, however, humbly stated that anyone would have done the same, emphasizing the instinct to protect fellow passengers.

I only thought about securing the safety of the passengers the moment I saw the flames.

โ€” Mr. AThe citizen who intervened and prevented the arson attempt, explaining his immediate reaction.

The suspect, a man in his 40s, has been arrested and sent to prosecutors, facing charges under the railway safety act. While the immediate threat was neutralized by a civilian's bravery, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers lurking even in everyday public spaces. The swift action of Mr. A undoubtedly saved lives and prevented a potentially catastrophic event on the Daegu subway.

Anyone would have acted the same way in the same situation.

โ€” Mr. AThe citizen who intervened, downplaying his heroic actions.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.