TAICHUNG (TVBS News) — A violent incident unfolded on a Taichung Mass Rapid Transit (TMRT) train on Tuesday (May 21), leaving two passengers injured after a man launched an unexpected knife attack. The assailant was subdued by quick-thinking passengers before police took him into custody. The attack prompted a temporary suspension of service at Taichung City Hall Station and caused delays across the network.
Rapid Response to Sudden Violence
The Taichung City Government Fire Bureau was alerted to the multiple injuries at Taichung City Hall Station at 11:17 a.m., leading to the dispatch of several ambulances. The incident resulted in three injuries, including the attacker, highlighting the sudden danger passengers faced. A 17-year-old victim suffered cuts on his chest, shoulder, and arm, and a 27-year-old man received a 15-centimeter slash from his cheek to his jaw, demonstrating the severity of the attack.
Aftermath and Investigation
Following the attack, the assailant, who also sustained finger wounds, was taken to the hospital under police surveillance. The Taichung City Police Department's 6th Precinct reported that the staff at Taichung City Hall station were alerted, and the attacker was apprehended. Investigators recovered one kitchen knife and two fruit knives from the scene, indicating the premeditated nature of the assault.
The TMRT announced that service disruptions were due to the merging of two-way traffic between the Wenxin Chongde and Wenxin Yinghua stations onto a single track. Operations at Taichung City Hall Station were temporarily halted, affecting countless commuters. As of early afternoon, full service involving the affected stations had not been restored, leaving passengers seeking alternative routes.
This incident has raised concerns about public safety on mass transit systems and the need for increased security measures. Authorities are likely to review and enhance safety protocols to prevent similar attacks in the future. Meanwhile, the community has commended the bravery of the passengers who intervened, preventing further harm and showcasing the resilience and solidarity among people in the face of danger.
On May 21, 2014, a Taiwanese man also carried out a stabbing spree directed at random civilians on a Taipei Metro train, resulting in four deaths and 24 injuries. It was the first fatal attack on the city's subway system since operations began in 1996. The attacker, 21-year-old Cheng Chieh, was arrested after the attack and sentenced to death, in addition to 144 years in prison. He was executed on May 10, 2016.