A day of terror unfolded in the heart of Taiwan's capital on Friday, December 19, 2025, as a knifeman's violent rampage left at least nine people injured. The assailant initiated the attack by throwing smoke grenades near a busy subway station, sending pedestrians into a panicked scramble.
Chaos at Taipei Main Station
The incident began near the Taipei Main subway station, adjacent to the city's primary train hub. Dramatic footage captured the moment the unnamed suspect deployed smoke grenades, creating confusion and fear. He then reportedly boarded the metro for one stop, exited, and continued his assault by throwing more smoke devices onto the street.
Broadcaster EBC showed video of the man, armed with a knife, wielding the weapon at bystanders before fleeing into a shop, prompting screams from those nearby. In a separate clip, emergency paramedics were seen providing urgent aid to an injured person on the station floor.
Suspect's Death and Victim Conditions
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an confirmed the suspect ultimately jumped from a building in an attempt to evade arrest. He was later pronounced dead in hospital. Mayor Chiang stated that four of the wounded were in a serious condition.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai provided further distressing details, noting one victim—a pedestrian who fell during the attack—was already in cardiac arrest before reaching the hospital. The premier also confirmed the smoke caused respiratory injuries to another individual. Authorities are actively investigating the suspect's background.
Security Boost and Echoes of UK Attack
In response to the alarming event, Premier Cho has directed police to heighten security measures at train and subway stations across the island. This terrifying incident resonates a month after a similar mass stabbing in the UK hospitalised ten people. That attack occurred on a Doncaster to London King's Cross train as it approached Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.
The UK incident saw a swift response from armed police and air ambulances once the train arrived at the station. The situation was contained rapidly, with officers in forensic suits and a police dog visible on the platform in the aftermath.
The Taipei attack underscores the persistent and global challenge of securing public transport hubs against sudden, violent acts, prompting renewed security evaluations in major cities worldwide.
