TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Authorities released a man surnamed Chen (陳) on bail of NT$29,000 with residence restrictions on Monday (Nov. 18) after a violent incident on the Taiwan High Speed Rail (HSR) last Saturday.
The altercation began when a female passenger boarded HSR train 814 at Miaoli Station. She encountered Chen sitting cross-legged in the doorway and stepped over him, prompting his verbal dissatisfaction. As the train reached Banqiao Station, Chen confronted her again, drawing a long knife from his backpack and stabbing it into a dining table. Fortunately, no injuries occurred.
Train staff, alerted by passengers, notified the HSR Control Center, which called for railway police. Chen then disembarked at Taipei Station and fled. Police later reviewed surveillance footage, discovering he had changed his appearance to evade capture. They apprehended him at his residence in Nantou County on Monday afternoon.
Chen offered little explanation for his actions, stating only that he carried the knife for self-defense. Police transferred him to the prosecutors' office at noon Tuesday, charging him under the Criminal Code for public intimidation. The prosecutor, after questioning, identified strong suspicions of intimidation, threats, and potential harm, citing risks of flight and evidence tampering.
The legal proceedings against Chen highlight ongoing concerns about public safety on Taiwan's transportation system. Authorities urge passengers to remain vigilant and report suspicious behavior to ensure a secure travel environment.