Sparks From Daegu Metro Line 3 Grounding Wire Trigger Power Failure, Investigation Underway

Sparks from a lightning-grounding wire on Daegu Metro Line 3 caused a power failure, but passengers had to wait more than 30 minutes before the city announced the disruption.

The monorail service lost power at 7:38 p.m. on September 7, forcing trains to stop. Trains already in operation switched to backup power and reached nearby stations, allowing passengers to leave safely. Service resumed between Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital Station and Dalseong Park Station at 8:10 p.m. and returned across the entire line from the first train at 5:30 a.m. the next day.

Daegu Transportation Corporation announced the incident through station broadcasts and other notices at 8:13 p.m. It sent a text message at 8:29 p.m., telling Line 3 passengers that only the partial route was operating and advising them to use other transportation. The delayed notice drew criticism for worsening the inconvenience.

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We take seriously the fact that we did not quickly inform citizens of the situation. We will find the cause as soon as possible and establish and implement measures to prevent a recurrence.

Officials later found sparks on the overhead-line lightning-grounding wire about 150 meters toward Yongji Station from Suseong District Citizens Sports Center Station. The wire, installed every 500 meters to protect structures from lightning, had been damaged, cutting the power supply. Daegu plans a joint expert inspection and a special check of the Line 3 grounding wires. The city said a similar damage incident occurred in 2024, but its exact cause was not identified, even though the wire had shown no problem during an inspection in May.

Daegu Transportation Bureau Director Heo Ju-young said the city took the delayed notification seriously and would provide refunds to affected passengers who obtain confirmation certificates at nearby stations.

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Passengers who experienced inconvenience can visit a nearby station, receive a refund confirmation certificate and obtain a refund.