TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen (盧秀燕) Wednesday (May 22) lauded the passengers who subdued a knife attacker on the Taichung metro as “heroes” and said they can ride the city's MRT free for life. 

At 11:17 a.m. on Tuesday (May 21), a 20-year-old man surnamed Hung (洪) allegedly stabbed two passengers on a train near Taichung City Hall Station on Wenxin Road in Xitun District. Before a session of the Taichung City Council on Wednesday, Lu said “The people who bravely stepped forward yesterday will be able to ride the Taichung MRT for free for life," reported SET News. 

Hung boarded at Shui-an Temple Station carrying three knives. He put his bag on a luggage rack, took out a knife, and attacked the passenger closest to him.

Several passengers took action, including a 27-year-old man surnamed Hsu and a 17-year-old high school student surnamed Lu (呂). While struggling with Hung, Hsu received a 9 cm laceration on the left side of his face and Lu was struck with a cleaver, resulting in lacerations to his right shoulder, right chest, and right upper arm, as well as a punctured lung.

Passengers were eventually able to pin Hung against the train door, and wrestle the knife away.

Lu thanked the Taichung citizens for their bravery. Lu said the Taichung Metro company has decided to grant the "heroes" a lifetime free ride pass. 

Lu added the city government will commend them at a public security meeting. In addition, a private medical group will give NT$200,000 (US$6,200)  to the two injured passengers to cover their medical expenses.

Police said the suspect lives in the south, rode north to Taichung on Monday night (May 20), and checked into a motel in Xitun District. After checking out Tuesday morning, he went to the MRT station to allegedly commit the crime. 

Police have reported the case to the Taichung District Prosecutor's Office to investigate Hung on suspicion of attempted murder (殺人未遂罪).