Knife and smoke bomb attack at Taipei MRT stations leaves three dead, multiple injured

A violent and premeditated attack unfolded in central Taipei on the evening of 19 December, when a man assaulted commuters at two major metro stations using smoke bombs and a long knife, leaving three people dead and multiple others injured.

According to Taipei City authorities, the attacker, identified as 27-year-old Zhang Wen, began his rampage at 5.24pm at the M7 exit of Taipei Metro’s Bannan Line station.

Wearing a baseball cap and a gas mask, Zhang entered the B1 passageway of Taipei Main Station pushing a cart loaded with weapons and incendiary materials.

He proceeded to hurl four smoke bombs around the area before drawing a 30cm knife. When a 57-year-old passerby, surnamed Yu, attempted to intervene, he was attacked and fatally wounded.

Emergency personnel arrived promptly at the scene and found Yu with no vital signs. Despite efforts to resuscitate him at hospital, he was later declared dead.

Roughly an hour later, at around 6.39pm, Zhang reappeared outside Zhongshan MRT Station, again throwing smoke bombs and brandishing a knife.

He then randomly slashed at civilians before rushing into the nearby Eslite Nanxi Store, continuing his assault.

Shortly afterwards, Zhang was found dead after falling from the fifth floor of the building. Authorities suspect he jumped in an attempt to avoid capture.

Taipei Fire Department confirmed that seven civilians were injured in the Zhongshan Station incident. Of those, three were found with no vital signs upon arrival at hospital.

The deceased victims include two 30-year-old men and Zhang himself. Four others sustained varying degrees of injuries from stab wounds and smoke inhalation.

Injured individuals were taken to several medical facilities across Taipei, including National Taiwan University Hospital, Shin Kong Hospital, and Tri-Service General Hospital.

A 20-year-old male with chest puncture wounds was treated at the Neihu Armed Forces General Hospital. Two women, aged 56 and 50 respectively, suffered injuries to the shoulder and jaw.

Investigations have revealed that Zhang had rented a room near Taipei Station earlier this year, where he reportedly researched how to manufacture petrol bombs.

In July, Zhang had also been declared wanted for violating the Military Service Act after failing to respond to an education draft summons due to a change in residential address.

Authorities believe Zhang deliberately chose the M7 exit of Taipei Station due to its proximity to his residence and the Zhongzheng First Police Precinct, suggesting a calculated plan to maximise shock and disruption.

Surveillance footage and witness statements indicate that Zhang's movements were swift and deliberate, exploiting peak commuter hours and crowded public areas to cause chaos.

One Taipei Metro employee, aged 54, was hospitalised after inhaling smoke while attempting to extinguish one of the smoke bombs.

The Criminal Investigation Bureau and Taipei City Police Department are continuing forensic investigations and collecting testimony to determine the full scope of Zhang’s preparations and motivations.

Although authorities have not confirmed the incident as an act of terrorism, the calculated nature of the attack and use of improvised incendiary devices have raised concerns about public safety and metro system security.

The National Fire Agency praised the rapid response of first responders but stressed the need for continued vigilance in public spaces.

President Lai Ching-te addressed the public via his official Facebook page following the violent attacks at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan MRT Station on 19 December.

 In his statement, he urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, particularly in crowded areas or transport hubs. He advised individuals at affected locations to follow instructions from security personnel and to report any suspicious persons, items, or unusual occurrences to the police or metro staff immediately.

President Lai further stated that national security agencies had already heightened their alert levels across the country. He cautioned against spreading unverified information, emphasising the importance of maintaining public order.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to public safety, he assured the public that the attacker would be investigated thoroughly and prosecuted in accordance with the law, stressing that there would be no leniency for acts of violence.

The Taipei City Government has since increased security measures across the MRT network, including heightened patrols and surveillance.

Eslite Corporation issued a statement expressing deep regret over the violence and stated that they are cooperating with police in the investigation.

Grief counselling and support services have been offered to victims and affected families. The Ministry of Health and Welfare has also mobilised crisis response teams to assist those traumatised by the attack.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an is expected to address the public and provide updates on policy responses in the coming days.

Fatalities

Three individuals were confirmed dead as a result of the attacks.

The first victim was a 57-year-old man surnamed Yu, who attempted to stop the attacker at the Taipei Main Station M7 exit. He sustained fatal knife injuries and was sent to National Taiwan University Hospital with no vital signs. He was pronounced dead at 7:56pm.

The second fatality was the attacker himself, 27-year-old Zhang Wen. After launching the second wave of attacks at Zhongshan Station and the nearby Eslite Nanxi store, he was found in critical condition following a fall from the fifth floor. He was sent to Cathay General Hospital and declared dead at 7:42pm.

The third deceased was a 27-year-old man surnamed Hsiao, one of the victims at the Eslite Nanxi store. He suffered a throat laceration and was sent to Mackay Memorial Hospital in cardiac arrest. He was declared dead at 8:10pm.

Injuries

Six other individuals were injured in the incidents, with varying degrees of severity.

A 54-year-old male Taipei Metro employee suffered smoke inhalation injuries while attempting to extinguish the smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station. He remained conscious and was sent to Mackay Memorial Hospital for treatment.

A 30-year-old man surnamed Wang was also found in cardiac arrest at the scene of the Zhongshan attack and was transported to Shin Kong Hospital. His condition has not been publicly confirmed as of the latest reports.

Another victim, a 20-year-old man surnamed Chuang, sustained a chest stab wound and was taken to the Armed Forces Neihu General Hospital for emergency care.

A 30-year-old man surnamed Wang (distinct from the previous Wang) suffered a neck wound and was transported to National Taiwan University Hospital.

Two female victims were also injured. A 50-year-old woman surnamed Huang sustained a shoulder laceration and was treated at Zhongxing Hospital. A 49-year-old woman, whose surname was not released, suffered a torn chin and was sent to the Tri-Service General Hospital in Songshan.