TAIWAN President Lai Ching-te pledged a full public inquiry into a deadly stabbing rampage on Taipei’s metro system, expressing his condolences to victims and their families as he visited hospitals on December 20.
Authorities reported that a 27-year-old man, wanted for evading military service, set off smoke bombs in Taipei’s main subway station during the evening rush hour on December 19 before embarking on a stabbing spree.
The attack spanned the main station, an underground shopping district, and another subway stop, claiming three lives and wounding at least eleven others.
AFP reported that the suspect died in an apparent suicide shortly after the attack, Taipei Mayor stated on the night of the incident. Officials described the incident as a “deliberate act,” though the motive remains unclear.
“I want to express condolences to those who tragically lost their lives in last night’s horrific, violent attack, and to extend my sympathy to their families,” President Lai said during his hospital visits. He also vowed that a “full and thorough investigation” would be conducted and that the public would be provided “a full account of truth.”
At a police briefing later on December 20, President Lai emphasised the need for caution and proactive measures, urging rapid response forces to arrive promptly and be capable of preventing or halting such attacks.
“Once a call or message is received, the rapid response force must arrive as quickly as possible and must be capable of stopping such attacks,” he said. He added that these forces must be “trained and equipped for counter-terrorism operations” to safeguard citizens.
Police Chief Chang Jung-hsin confirmed that the suspect appeared to have acted alone. “He acted according to a plan, to randomly kill people. Regarding the motive, I think it still needs to continue to be understood and investigated,” he said.
Violent crime of this magnitude is rare in Taiwan. The last similar incident occurred in 2014, when a man on a metro stabbing spree killed four people. - December 20, 2025
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