Knife-wielding attacker kills three in Taipei, dies during police chase
The suspect threw multiple petrol bombs and smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station, before attacking people near Zhongshan Station.
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TAIPEI: Attacks at metro stations in Taipei on Friday (Dec 19) involving smoke bombs and stabbing killed at least three people, the fire department official said, adding that the suspect was also dead.
Taiwan's Premier Cho Jung-tai said the attacks at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan Station were "a deliberate act", although the motive was not immediately clear.
Cho said in a statement that the suspect wore a mask and threw "five or six gasoline bombs or smoke grenades" at Taipei Main Station.
The suspect, a 27-year-old man, was also wearing what appeared to be body armour and a mask.
"It appears he deliberately threw smoke bombs and wielded a long knife to carry out indiscriminate attacks on the public," Cho added.
Following that, he ran to a nearby subway station in a busy shopping district, attacking people on the way, he said.
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According to the Taipei City Fire Department, a total of four people were confirmed dead including the suspect, and five others were injured.
The suspected attacker had a prior criminal record and outstanding warrants, and his house has been searched, Cho told reporters.
"We will investigate his background and associated relationships to understand his motives and determine if there are other connected factors," he added, identifying the man as Chang Wen.
The city's mayor said the suspect had apparently jumped off a building and that one of the victims was killed while trying to stop the attack at the Main Station.
"Unfortunately, he was attacked and passed away ... we are all deeply saddened," Mayor Chiang Wan-an told reporters.
"Currently, we understand that the suspect committed suicide by jumping from a building to evade arrest and has been confirmed dead," he said.
Cho earlier said three people suffered cardiac arrest as a result of the attacks, and several people had "injuries from stab wounds and blunt force trauma to various parts of their bodies".
Authorities said they were ramping up security across the island in response to the attacks.
"All important locations ... including railway stations, highways, subway stations and airports are maintaining a high level of alert and vigilance," he said.
Images released by Taiwan's Central News Agency show a canister on the ground at the Main Station, with officers examining potential evidence at the scene.
A video posted on social media shows a thick cloud of white smoke covering an underground section of a metro station, with some people standing at a distance.
A witness of the attack at the Main Station told local network EBC News that he had seen a "man rush up and try and subdue" the attacker, who was "wearing a gas mask and a bulletproof vest".
"At first I thought it was a drill, then I saw a person holding a knife and throwing smoke grenades," said the witness, who did not give his name.
A second witness told EBC News that "someone ran out wearing a gas mask and started throwing canisters that released gas".
"I quickly ran away. He kept throwing them behind me. I didn't count how many (canisters), but there was a constant banging and clanging sound," added the witness, who also did not give his name.
"I didn't hear any explosions, but a lot of gas kept spraying out."
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te said in a Facebook post that authorities have increased security across the island.
He added that authorities will "quickly clarify the details of the case. There will be no leniency and we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our citizens".
Lai also cautioned residents not to forward unverified messages.
It was not immediately clear what the suspect's motive was.
Violent crime is rare in Taiwan, though an attack in 2014 horrified the normally peaceful island when a man went on a stabbing spree on Taipei's metro, killing four people. He was executed for the killings in 2016.
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