"No announcements for 15 minutes"... Commuters frustrated as Line 3 service halts during morning rush hour

Train service suspended for about 2 hours in both directions between Yaksu Station and Gupabal Station due to track fire during rush hour
"Hurriedly caught a taxi" "20 minutes late" exhausted citizens

On the morning of the 23rd, a fire occurred on the tracks inside the tunnel between Muakjae Station and Dongnimmun Station on Seoul Subway Line 3. A train bound for Daehwa is stopped at the platform of Dongnimmun Station on Line 3 in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kang Juhee] A fire broke out on the tracks inside the tunnel at Muakjae Station on Seoul Subway Line 3, causing train operations on both the up and down lines between Yaksu Station and Gupabal Station to be suspended for about two hours starting around 6 a.m. Train operations have since resumed, but commuters who intended to use the trains on this section during the morning rush experienced significant inconvenience.

Commuters waiting for Line 3 trains stamped their feet and turned back upon hearing the announcement of the train suspension. Confusion arose as people trying to exit the station mixed with those unaware of the suspension and attempting to enter. Citizens trying to use taxis and buses instead crowded the taxi stands and bus stops, causing congestion to peak for a while.

Yoon, a person in their 20s commuting from Bucheon to Seoul, had to turn back after waiting nearly 15 minutes for a train while transferring to Line 3 at Jongno 3-ga Station that day. Yoon said, "I was waiting on the platform as usual, but the train just didn’t come," adding, "There were no special announcements about the fire or information on the electronic display boards during that time."

Yoon continued, "After about 15 minutes, an announcement came telling us to use other public transportation, so I hurriedly ran out of the station," and added, "I couldn’t get a taxi either, so I paid a call fee and barely managed to get one."

Another office worker in their 30s, Seo, who also intended to use Line 3 that day, said, "I entered the station to board the train but turned back after seeing people coming out," and reported, "About two-thirds of the station was packed with people." Seo said, "It was hard to get a taxi because many people were trying to get one. I searched for a bus to get to work and barely found one. I was about 20 minutes late that day."

According to Seoul Metro, a fire occurred on the tracks at Muakjae Station around 6:24 a.m. that day. Train operations resumed around 8:12 a.m. and are currently running normally. However, the corporation added, "Train intervals may be slightly delayed due to adjustments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.