37 Injured In Subway Station Gas Leak

Carbon monoxide leaked from a heating and cooling machine in the underground mall at a subway station, and more than 30 merchants and citizens who fell sick were sent to hospitals for treatment.

According to the police, carbon monoxide leaked from a cooling and heating machine in the shopping mall on the third basement at Jonggak Station of subway line 1, in Jongno-2-ga, Jongno-gu, at around 4:15 p.m. on September 8.

The underground mall was test running the heater turned on by the city as the temperature fell. The police think the carbon monoxide leaked when the heater underwent an incomplete combustion.

In this accident, 3 merchants and passers including a person in the second basement fainted and were sent to nearby hospitals. Additionally, 34 merchants and passers who felt sick went to nearby hospitals in taxis and are being treated.

It is quite likely that additional patients will be reported as it is said that some 700 citizens were at the mall when the accident occurred.

One police official told a journalist, "Nobody`s life is at risk even though many people are complaining of headaches and dizziness."

Seoul Metro has been guiding trains to pass by Jonggak station without stopping since 4:28 p.m. on this day. A large traffic jam resulted in and around Jonggak Station with the rush of fire cars and ambulances. The Jongno emergency relief team was committed in the accident vicinity to carry out gas detection and rescue work.

Park Gi-chun, who called 119 to report the accident, said, "My headache began an hour before I called 119, and the merchants of the mall began fainted." Another witness said, "I didn`t smell anything in particular, but I felt sick to my stomach."

Carbon monoxide, usually emitted in great quantity when coal is burned, is also produced by the lack of oxygen in combustion or when the combustion temperature is low, and does not have any smell or color.

Jongno Fire Station stated, "We announced a No. 1 Emergency when we got the call at around 4:30 p.m. but lifted this statement at 4:42 p.m."

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