Taipei, Taiwan – A shocking attack at two Taipei metro stations on Friday has left three people dead and five others injured. The assailant, also deceased, carried out stabbings and deployed smoke bombs, sending shockwaves through the city. Violent crime is relatively rare in Taiwan.
Taiwanese Premier Chu Jung-tai confirmed the details, stating that the attacker, identified only as Chang, launched his assault at the main Taipei train station before fleeing to a nearby metro station in a busy shopping district. He attacked commuters along the way.
“We will investigate his background and connections to understand his motives and determine if there were other factors related to the incident,” Premier Chu told reporters. He added that Chang had a prior criminal record and outstanding warrants, and his residence had been previously searched.
Preliminary investigations suggest the attacker may have been carrying flammable materials, possibly Molotov cocktails, which ignited at the scene alongside the smoke bombs. He was also reportedly wearing what appeared to be body armor and a mask.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an stated that the suspect apparently jumped from a building while attempting to evade capture, and one of the victims was killed while trying to stop the attack at the main station. “We learned that the suspect committed suicide by jumping from a building to escape arrest, and his death has been confirmed,” he said.
Authorities have announced heightened security measures across the island in the wake of the attacks.
This incident brings back memories of a 2014 stabbing spree on the Taipei metro, in which four people were killed. The perpetrator in that case was executed in 2016 after being convicted of the crime.
