3 killed in stabbing attack on Taiwan metro
by Chris Benson · UPIDec. 19 (UPI) -- Three people were killed and at least five more were injured in a knife attack in Taipei on Friday.
A 27-year-old suspect ignited smoke bombs and Molotov cocktails at Taipei's main metro station, then ran to a nearby shopping district station, stabbing multiple people, according to Premier Cho Jung-tai.
Cho stated that the suspect fell from a building and later died. The motive is still unknown.
The attack took place during Taipei's evening rush hour, in the station that linked to a crowded underground shopping area.
Taiwanese President William Lai pledged a rapid investigation.
Such attacks are uncommon in Taiwan, where violent crime is rare. Taipei last saw a similar incident more than ten years ago in 2014.
Video footage depicted commuters scrambling to escape in panic.
A man who attempted to intervene was fatally injured after being hit with a blunt object.
The suspect then moved to another subway station roughly 800 meters away, where he released smoke bombs and continued the stabbing attack.
"We will investigate [the suspect's] background and associated relationships to understand his motives and determine if there are other connected factors," added Cho.
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