Hong Kong Subway Arson Attack Injures 18

Hong Kong police on Saturday said 18 people were injured in an arson attack on a subway train during rush hour the previous night, with one man arrested for the crime.

Three people were in critical condition after the incident occurred at 7:15 pm (local time) on Friday, while police said they had seized suspected liquid fire accelerants from the scene.

Police have ruled out the possibility of a terrorist attack and said the man acted alone with investigators looking into his mental condition.

Video footage showed chaos on the platform of the packed Tsim Sha Tsui station, with a train carriage on fire and one man lying on the floor with his clothes ablaze as bystanders tried to help him.

Images broadcast on Cable Television news also showed multiple people with burn injuries, as emergency personnel carried out rescue operations.

Local media said the suspect was also in critical condition, but police would not confirm the reports.

The Tsim Sha Tsui station, which services a popular shopping and nightlife district, was evacuated following the incident with trains skipping the station last night. It was re-opened today morning. The incident is a rare occurrence in Asia's finance hub, where the transport network is known for its safety and efficiency.

In 2004, 14 people were injured on the subway when a man started a fire in the city's Admiralty station during the morning rush hour.