Premier Orders Overnight Investigation into Suspect in Taipei MRT Attacks

In response to a series of violent attacks that occurred Friday evening at Exits M7 and M8 of MRT Taipei Main Station and near the exits of MRT Zhongshan Station, Premier Cho Jung-tai immediately traveled to the incident site at Taipei Main Station to receive briefings on the situation and promptly addressed the public regarding the information available to law enforcement authorities. The premier instructed authorities to conduct an overnight investigation into the suspect, surnamed Chang. He emphasized the need to determine the motive for the crimes, clarify the circumstances of the case, and provide a clear account to the public and to the victims' families as swiftly as possible. He also directed all major transportation hubs-including railways, highways, metro systems and airports-to maintain a heightened state of alert.

Speaking to the media, Premier Cho said preliminary investigations indicate that incidents at both stations were perpetrated by the same individual. The suspect was allegedly wearing a gas mask and threw multiple smoke grenades near Exits M7 and M8 of MRT Taipei Main Station, injuring an innocent bystander. The suspect then moved to the vicinity of MRT Zhongshan Station, where he continued to carry out indiscriminate attacks on members of the public. During the subsequent police pursuit, the suspect fell from an elevated location and died despite emergency medical efforts.

Premier Cho said that he has tasked the Ministry of Health and Welfare with notifying all hospitals receiving emergency cases to spare no effort in treating all injured individuals. He also directed the Taipei City Police Department and the National Police Agency (NPA) under the Ministry of the Interior to work in close coordination and fully assist with prosecutorial investigations. In addition, the premier instructed the NPA and relevant ministries and agencies to maintain a heightened state of vigilance at major transportation hubs nationwide.