70-Year-Old Arrested for Detonating 'Butane Gas Explosive' at Gwangju Dental Hospital

Claimed to have visited Gwangsan Police Station nearby to surrender
to the police station

The prime suspect in the butane gas explosion incident at a dental hospital in Gwangju has been apprehended by the police. The suspect is known to be a patient who used the affected hospital. On the 22nd, Yonhap News reported that the Gwangju Seobu Police Station urgently arrested Mr. A (79) on suspicion of committing an explosive terrorist act (arson of an inhabited building) at a dental hospital located on the 3rd floor of a commercial building in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, that afternoon.

On the afternoon of the 22nd, a box containing butane gas and flammable materials exploded at the entrance of a dental clinic on the 3rd floor of a commercial building in Chipyeong-dong, Seo-gu, Gwangju. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Mr. A is accused of detonating a box containing butane gas at the entrance of the dental hospital in the building around 1:14 PM that day.

According to the police investigation, Mr. A ignited an improvised explosive device made by tying together four butane gas canisters and a plastic container filled with flammable materials, then placed it inside the hospital entrance. At that time, although it was lunchtime, the entrance door was reportedly open. Additionally, hospital staff were present inside the dental clinic.

After the crime, Mr. A fled the scene, took a taxi to escape to his home, but changed direction and got off near the Gwangju Gwangsan Police Station, where he was apprehended by the police. It is known that he claimed he came to the police station to surrender.

Mr. A was confirmed to be a patient who used the targeted hospital. However, the exact motive for the attack, such as dissatisfaction with medical treatment, has not yet been revealed. The police plan to investigate Mr. A in detail regarding his motive and the circumstances of the crime.