4 People Dead, 9 Injured After Mass Stabbing Attack and Smoke Bombing at Train Station

At least four people are dead and several others were injured after a mass attack involving a knife and smoke bombs in Taiwan.

On Friday, Dec. 19, smoke bombs were set off at Taipei’s main train station during what authorities described as a “random knife attack,” which later continued at Zhongshan Station, Reuters reported. Four people were killed during the rampage, including the attacker, according to Reuters.

Nine others were injured, the National Police Agency (NPA) said. Premier Cho Jung-tai confirmed the victims suffered stab wounds and blunt head injuries and were taken to the hospital.

“The suspect wore a mask and deliberately threw away multiple petrol bombs and smoke bombs, and then randomly attacked people … causing many injuries,” Jung-tai said in a translated Facebook post.

Authorities believe the attacks at both stations were carried out by a single suspect: 27-year-old Chang Wen, who later died, Reuters reported.

Before the stabbing spree, Wen allegedly damaged multiple vehicles and set fire to his residence, ABC News reported, citing Chang Jung-Hsin, the NPA’s director-general.

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

During a police pursuit, the suspect “jumped to his death,” Taipei Mayor Jiang Wan’an confirmed in a Facebook post.

Police have since implemented preventive and response measures in the area, including tightened security and increased police visibility, according to the NPA. The motive for the attacks remains unknown.

Jung-tai urged law enforcement to “maintain a high level of alert” nationwide, particularly at stations that could be potential targets.

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

President Lai Ching-te also addressed the violence in a statement shared 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,” he said.

He also thanked those who intervened during the incident to prevent further harm, adding that he had asked prosecutors, police, and investigators to conduct a thorough investigation into the suspect’s background, motive, and whether anyone else was involved.

“I have requested that the relevant units of the prosecution, police, and investigation departments conduct a comprehensive, in-depth, and thorough investigation into the perpetrator’s background, motives, whether there were accomplices, and whether anyone instigated the attack, to ensure that the truth is revealed to the public,” Ching-te concluded.