A tragic incident unfolded in Taiwan’s capital as a knife attack took place on Friday evening, resulting in the deaths of three people. The assailant, identified as a 27-year-old man named Chang Wen, also injured nine others during the spree.
Taiwan Knife Attack Details
The attack began when Chang Wen unleashed chaos at the Taipei Main subway station. He threw a smoke grenade, which sent pedestrians fleeing in panic. Following this, he moved toward the Eslite department store in a busy shopping district. There, he launched an attack on unsuspecting victims, primarily targeting their necks.
Casualties and Injuries
- Deaths: 3 confirmed fatalities.
- Injuries: 9 individuals hospitalized, with one in serious condition.
- Among the injured, one pedestrian was reportedly in cardiac arrest before hospital arrival.
- Another person suffered respiratory issues due to smoke inhalation.
Incident Aftermath
Following the attack, the suspect attempted to evade capture by jumping from the sixth floor of the department store. Chang was pronounced dead at a local hospital from injuries sustained in the fall.
Background on the Suspect
Chang Wen was wanted for failing to comply with Taiwan’s mandatory military service regulations. Reports indicated he had missed his military training scheduled for November 2024 due to issues surrounding his household registration.
Official Responses
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai addressed the media, expressing condolences for the victims and highlighting the severity of the injuries sustained by those involved in the attack.
This incident marks a significant and tragic event in Taiwan, raising concerns about public safety and security in crowded urban areas.
