Taipei, Dec 20, (dpa/GNA) – A man set off a smoke bomb at the Taipei Main Station on Friday and launched random knife attacks, killing three people and injuring at least six, state-run Central News Agency reported.
The suspect, a man in his 20s, is dead, the agency said. Local media reported that the man, who was a wanted fugitive, was cornered by police on a rooftop and fell to his death.
Police said the suspect first deployed the smoke bomb near an exit of the train station, causing panic, before moving to the nearby Zhongshan Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) Station commercial district, where he stabbed passers-by at random.
Local TV footage showed the suspect wielding a knife and attacking pedestrians on the street, before entering a department store, causing people to scream and flee.
The injured were immediately taken to hospitals where three of them succumbed to their injuries. Later that evening, a 22-year-old woman sought medical care for an inhalation injury, CNA reported.
Premier Cho Jung-tai said authorities had immediately ordered heightened security nationwide at railway and highway stations, MRT systems and airports. Cho also demanded that the authorities work overnight to uncover the suspect’s motive, who has been named as Chang Wen, according to CNA.
President Lai Ching-te said the government would strengthen security, swiftly investigate the case and ensure public safety.
In May 2014, 21-year-old Cheng Chieh carried out a random knife attack on a Taipei MRT train, killing 4 and injuring 24. He was sentenced to death and executed in 2016.
GNA