Fight breaks out between 3 passengers on Downtown Line MRT, bystanders break it up

Man & couple get in shouting match in Downtown Line MRT, fight broken up by other passengers

A heated altercation broke out between a man and a couple on the Downtown Line (DTL) MRT train yesterday (23 March) evening.

The incident reportedly took place at around 7.50pm, with footage capturing a tense exchange inside the train heading towards Fort Canning MRT station.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

Man confronts couple & attempts to grab phone

In the video, a man dressed in black was seen arguing loudly with a woman in blue and a man in white standing beside her.

A bystander wearing a striped shirt intervened, holding the parties apart to prevent the situation from escalating.

However, tensions flared further when the couple began filming the man in black using their phones.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

“Are you trying to film me?” He said in Mandarin, attempting to grab their phones and circling around a pole to approach the woman. The bystander held the man back once more.

“You started everything!” The woman accused, causing the man to cuss at both her and the man in white.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

The man in black pointed a finger at the woman, causing the man in white to slap his hand aside. In retaliation, the man in black swung at him, though it was unclear if the punch connected.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

The two men swatted at each other as a fellow passenger yelled for them to calm down.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

At this point, another bystander wearing spectacles and a lanyard stepped in, physically separating the pair.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

A third bystander also approached the couple and urged them to move away from the scene.

The video ended as the man in black prepared to alight at Fort Canning MRT station.

Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram

SBS Transit spokesperson Mrs Grace Wu told MS News that the two men involved in the incident alighted at Fort Canning MRT station.

“Our station staff approached them to offer assistance, but they declined and continued on their way without any further commotion.”

Netizens praise bystanders who stepped in

Many netizens commended the three bystanders for stepping in and preventing the fight from spiralling out of control.

Source: Instagram

One commenter questioned why people leapt readily to fighting instead of finding another resolution. They also expressed curiosity about the context behind the MRT altercation.

Source: Instagram

Another user pointed out that fights on public transport were always a “lose-lose situation,” where the winner could end up in police custody while the loser might end up in hospital.

Source: Instagram

Speaking to MS News, an SBS spokesperson confirmed that they were made aware of the incident.

“The two men who were involved in the incident alighted at the Fort Canning MRT station,” they explained.

“Our station staff approached them to offer assistance, but they declined and continued on their way without any further commotion.”

Also read: Man slaps woman at MRT station after she throws key on floor, crowd gathers to watch

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Featured image adapted from @sgfollowsall on Instagram.