On August 7, 2023, SBS News reported the results of their investigations about the subway evacuation incident of August 6.
It was previously widely reported in media that a subway on Line 9 had been evacuated after false alarms about a knife attack and gas leaks had been triggered. While witnesses claimed that idol fans had screamed while watching a video of their idol, leading to panic from people around them, fans rebuked the claims. They wholly believed that they panic was due to reports of a gas leak on the subway.
Fact Check: Did BTS ARMY Really Cause A False Alarm About A Subway Attack?
In truth, reports of both a gas leak, as well as panic induced from the screams, had been received. SBS News had talked with both the police and fire departments involved in the matter. They confirmed that the firemen determined no leaks were detected and that everyone had been safely evacuated.
SBS News also reported that a policeman explained that the issue was a “happening that occured due to the screams of foreigners who had been watching a BTS video in the subway.”
You can read a full translation of SBS News’ report below.
Yesterday around 8.40pm, reports were received about “a weird smell and people running around” on a fast-train subway bound for Sinnonhyun station on Line 9. As the passengers all alighted at the same time as soon as the train stopped at Sinnonhyun station, 7 people were hurt with bruises and scratches. Although the police and firemen searched the inside and outside of the the subway train, there was no gas leak, and of course, it was confirmed that there was no terrorist attack.
A representative at the fire department said, “We tested for any gases and we did not find any gas or harmful gases, or things like that. We helped all passengers evacuate from the station and on to level ground…”
The police explained that “This issue was a happening that occured due to the screams of foreigners who had been watching a BTS video in the subway.”
— SBS News
