"If a Fire Breaks Out on the Subway, Do This First"... Ministry Releases Passenger Safety Video Guide

by Choi Seoyoon

Published 17 Sep.2025 06:00(KST)

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced on September 17 that, in collaboration with the Korea Railroad Research Institute, it has produced a video guide on passenger behavior during railway fires and released it on YouTube. This measure comes in response to a series of recent incidents involving battery fires and other accidents on subways and trains.

The six-minute video provides essential safety instructions that passengers must know in the event of a fire occurring either on a train or within a station.

Screenshot from the video "Small Habits That Protect Everyone's Safety: Essential Subway Fire Response Methods." Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport YouTube

If a fire breaks out inside a train, passengers should first use the intercom in the cabin to alert the conductor and also call emergency services at 119. If the fire spreads, they should move to the adjacent car, stay low, and wait. Once the train arrives at a station, they should open the platform screen doors and evacuate in an orderly manner according to instructions.

Pulling the emergency lever to open the doors will automatically stop the train. However, it is extremely dangerous to exit the train inside a tunnel, as there is a risk of collision with other trains running on adjacent tracks. If it is absolutely necessary to disembark, passengers should move along the wall toward the nearest station.

If a fire occurs in a station, passengers should cover their mouth and nose with a fire mask or handkerchief provided in the station and move in a low posture. They should follow the emergency lights and announcements to exit the building, and elevators must not be used. When accompanied by children or elderly individuals, protecting and assisting them takes priority.

Screenshot from the video "Small Habits That Protect Everyone's Safety: Essential Subway Fire Response Methods." Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport YouTube

Following a series of incidents-including the arson attack on Seoul Subway Line 5 in May, as well as multiple fires caused by battery explosions in trains and stations-there has been growing demand for enhanced passenger safety measures. Recent incidents include an electric motorcycle battery fire at Hapjeong Station on Seoul Subway Line 2 this month, a portable battery fire on Seoul Subway Line 4 last month, a portable battery fire on an Airport Railroad train in March, and an electric wheel fire at Beomeosa Station on Busan Subway Line 1 in August last year.

Jung Eekyung, Director of Railway Safety Policy at the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, stated, "This video will serve as a practical guide for passengers in fire emergencies," adding, "We will also distribute it to railway operators so they can use it to revise and improve the videos they currently produce and broadcast themselves."

The video is available for viewing on the YouTube channels of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and the Korea Railroad Research Institute.