4 dead, 9 injured in mass stabbing and smoke bomb explosion at railway station

need to know

• At least four people died in a knife attack in Taipei, Taiwan on Friday.

• The suspect allegedly detonated a smoke bomb at the main metro station before continuing his rampage at another station in the busy shopping district.

• According to reports, the 27-year-old suspect was being chased by police after one of the dead fell from a multi-storey building.

At least four people have died and many others have been injured in a mass knife attack in Taiwan.

On Friday, December 19, smoke bombs were set off at a main metro station in Taiwan’s capital Taipei amid “random knife attacks” that then continued at Zhongshan Station. Four people died, including the attacker, according to Reuters.

According to the National Police Agency (NPA), 9 other people were also injured in the incident. The injured victims suffered stab wounds and forehead injuries and were hospitalized, Prime Minister Cho Jung-tae confirmed.

“The suspect wore a mask and deliberately threw several petrol bombs and smoke bombs, and then randomly attacked people … injuring many,” Jung-tae said in a translated Facebook post.

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The attacks on both stations are believed to have been carried out by one suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen, according to Reuters.

Wen allegedly damaged several vehicles and set his residence on fire before being stabbed, ABC News reported, citing National Police Agency Director General Chang Jung-sin.

“The suspect planned an indiscriminate attack. He acted according to his plan,” Jung-sin said, per the outlet.

The suspect “jumped to his death” in pursuit of police, city mayor Jiang Wan’an confirmed on Facebook.

Local police have implemented preventive and reactive measures following the attack in the area, including tightening security and increasing police visibility, according to the NPA. The reason for the attack is still unknown.

Jung-tai urged police to “maintain a high level of vigilance” across the country, especially at stations that could be potential targets of future attacks.

“The government will fully support the victims, families of the injured and volunteers for compensation, compensation and follow-up care,” he said in a translated Facebook post.

President Lai Ching-tae said in a statement on Instagram, “I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people who lost their lives in last night’s horrific, violent attack, my condolences to the families and my thanks to the medical team for their efforts to rescue the injured.”

“…I would like to express my deepest gratitude and respect to all those who stood up during the incident to prevent the perpetrator from harming others…,” he continued.

“I have requested the relevant units of the Prosecution, Police and Investigation Departments to conduct a detailed, thorough and thorough investigation into the perpetrator’s background, motives, accomplices and whether or not he incited anyone in the attack, to ensure that the truth is revealed,” Chingte concluded.

People have contacted the NPA for further comment amid their investigation.

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