Taipei Knife Attack: Three Dead in Metro Rampage and Smoke Bombs
A 27-year-old man used smoke devices at Taipei Main Station and attacked travelers at nearby Zhongshan Station, leaving three dead and nine injured as security tightened at transit hubs.
A violent attack disrupted Taipei's city center on Friday evening as a knife-wielding suspect targeted commuters at major transit hubs. He activated smoke devices at the city’s main railway station and then moved toward an underground shopping area, where the assault continued before he fled.
What happened
The authorities identified the suspect as a 27-year-old man named Chang Wen. He died after falling from a multi-story building during the police operation, and the motive remains unclear.
Officials confirm three people were killed and nine injured as the attack unfolded during the evening rush. Such incidents are rare in Taiwan, where violent crime rates are low; the last major attack in Taipei occurred in 2014.
Video circulating on social media shows a person wearing a baseball cap and dark clothing throwing smoke devices across a busy street, then carrying a large knife past moving cars.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said the attacker used smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails at Taipei Main Station, which links to a busy underground shopping street. A bystander who tried to intervene was struck with a blunt object and later died in hospital.
The suspect then fled through an underground mall to nearby Zhongshan Station, about 800 meters away. After a detour to his hotel to pick up another weapon, he returned to the street outside Zhongshan Station, set off more smoke devices, and stabbed additional victims.
The attacker went into a nearby bookshop and department store, but fell from the building after police surrounded him; he died shortly after in hospital.
Premier Cho said security at metro and railway stations, as well as at airports, would be increased in response to the attack. President William Lai pledged a swift investigation. Local media reports say the suspect had a criminal record and was wanted by authorities.
Context and aftermath
The 2014 Taipei underground train attack remains the city’s deadliest such incident; the perpetrator was executed two years later. Taiwan’s leadership has since emphasized rapid security reviews after such events.
“We will prioritise safety at transit hubs and ensure a thorough inquiry,” said Premier Cho. Officials say ongoing investigations will look into the attacker’s background and any possible connections.
Expert commentary: Security experts note that mass attacks are very rare in Taiwan, and emphasize coordinated responses among police, transit operators, and security teams. Investigators will examine surveillance footage and potential links to other cases.
In summary, Friday’s events in central Taipei left several dead and many injured, prompting a broad security response and a thorough investigation into the attacker’s motives and history.
Key insight: While violent attacks are uncommon in Taiwan, rapid, coordinated action at transit hubs is essential for public safety. Source: BBC News
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