It may be weeks before relatives can bury their loved ones

Sirens wailed while church and temple bells tolled to mark the start of the citywide mourning for the victims of the apparent arson attack at the tail end of Tuesday morning's rush hour.

At least 133 people died - many trapped as their carriages became infernos - and a similar number were injured, many seriously.

The inquiry into the tragedy at the Jungangno station is continuing and police have said at least six railway staff will be charged with negligence.

The suspected arsonist said to have ignited a carton of flammable liquid inside a train has already been detained. He has a history of mental illness.

Silent tribute

Correspondents say Daegu - South Korea's third largest city - came to a standstill on Sunday for the tribute.

Citizens have created makeshift memorials

Buses pulled off to the side of the road and shoppers paused to honour the victims.

Television screens displayed messages urging people to join in the mourning.

Many people still face a long wait before they will be able to hold funerals for their loved ones.

Officials have warned that the destruction inside the city-centre station was so intense that it may take weeks for the bodies to be identified through DNA testing.