Summary
Overview
This episode examines the 1995 Tokyo subway sarin gas attacks by the cult Aum Shinrikyo, one of the deadliest acts of domestic terrorism in Japan's history. The attack killed 13 people and injured nearly 6,000 others when cult members released nerve gas on five subway trains during rush hour. The episode traces the cult's evolution from a spiritual movement to a violent apocalyptic group, their failed attempts at chemical warfare, and the aftermath of their devastating attack.
The Tokyo Subway Attack
On March 20, 1995, during peak commuting hours, five Tokyo subway trains carried large quantities of sarin nerve gas without anyone's knowledge. As the trains traveled through the underground system, bags containing the colorless, odorless liquid became punctured, releasing deadly gas into packed train cars. Within seconds, victims began dropping to the floor, choking and vomiting, in what would become Japan's worst case of domestic terrorism.
- Five subway trains carried large quantities of sarin nerve gas on March 20, 1995
- The attack killed 13 people and injured nearly 6,000 others
- Victims experienced sudden inability to breathe, with one survivor describing it as 'all my guts would come spilling right out of my mouth'
- Sarin is a colorless, odorless nerve agent that causes extreme respiratory problems and death
" I inhaled, and then suddenly my breath froze. It felt like if I inhaled any more, all my guts would come spilling right out of my mouth. Everything became a vacuum. I had never felt so bad. "
" We all talk about how America is a risky society, but in the New York subways, at least you can see who's firing the guns. In this case, nobody could see who did it. That's what's really terrifying. "
The Clean-Up Crew's Tragedy
Station agent Masaru Yuasa was finishing his shift when he volunteered to help a coworker clean up what appeared to be wet newspapers on a train platform. As they attempted to clean the mess by hand, one agent suddenly collapsed with an awful-looking face, unable to talk. Yuasa ran for help, but multiple people soon became sick from the liquid in the newspapers—which turned out to be sarin gas. Deputy station master Kazumasa Takahashi, who had limited exposure while moving the packages to trash, died that afternoon.
- Station agent Masaru Yuasa volunteered to help clean up wet newspapers, not knowing they contained sarin
- A coworker collapsed while carrying the newspapers to the trash, his face looking awful and unable to speak
- Deputy station master Kazumasa Takahashi died that afternoon from exposure while cleaning up the packages
- The incident put everyone on high alert as nobody knew if they might get sick at any minute
📚 6 more sections below
Sign up to unlock the complete summary with all insights, key points, and quotes
Get this summary + all future Morbid episodes in your inbox
100% Free • Unsubscribe Anytime
Sign up now and we'll send you the complete summary of this episode, plus get notified when new Morbid episodes are released—delivered straight to your inbox within minutes.