A subway train crash in Seoul, South Korea has stirred the nation.

South Korea is still mourning the victims of the Sewol ferry tragedy that occurred on April 16. The subway train crash on Friday has gained the attention of the entire nation, especially since it has only been two weeks since the ferry accident.

The subway train crash occurred mid-afternoon and most of those hurt are suffering from minor abrasians, according to emergency officials at Sangwangsimni station.

Of the few who have been severely injured, one person is being treated from a brain hemorrhage and one for a fracture, according to Reuters U.K.

About 170 people said they felt pain after the accident as 32 people were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, the city official stated, according to Fox News.

Close to 1,000 people were evacuated.

"An incoming train crashed into one that was stopped at the station," fire department official Kim Kyung-su stated at a news conference.

Seoul Metro official Chung Soo-young explained that the accident was caused by a signal failure and that two subway cars were derailed.

As the two trains crashed, passengers were jolted forward, which caused most of the injuries that are currently being treated.

"I fell forwards maybe two or three metres," said Lee Dong-hyeon, a 26-year-old officer worker who was on the train that crashed into the one stopped at the station.

Lee added, "It was like tripping over when running really fast."

After it had been reported that the captain of the Sewol ferry had delayed his evacuation announcement, most passengers chose to ignore the announcement telling everyone to stay on the train.

Many passengers forced open the train doors and jumped down onto the track to get away, witnesses said.

The last major accident of a South Korean subway system was back in 2003 where 192 people were killed in a subway fire in the city of Daegu.