TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – Government leaders on Saturday ordered that security be stepped up at public locations and mass events in the wake of a deadly smoke grenade and knife attack in Taipei the previous day.
A man identified as Chang Wen (張文) threw smoke grenades and attacked people with a knife at two Taipei Mass Rapid Transit stations and a department store. Four people, including Chang, died, with 11 injured, including two in intensive care.
Visiting the injured Saturday, President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) called for a thorough investigation into Chang’s motives and for a stronger police presence at public locations and crowded venues, per CNA. As soon as a problem occurred, a rapid response team should be able to intervene to protect the public, he said.
At a police briefing about the incident, Lai said each city and county government should have a police emergency team trained in anti-terror measures, the Liberty Times reported. As soon as it received a phone call, it should rush to the scene with the appropriate means to stop the perpetrators, the president said.
Police are looking to prevent copycat attacks after online threats against Kaohsiung station, per UDN. Mayor Chen Chi-mai (陳其邁) inspected the police presence at the rail station Saturday morning. He told reporters an investigation was in progress, but several of the five online accounts under suspicion were based overseas.
Mayors ordered improved police training ahead of the numerous mass events planned for the holiday season, including concerts, Christmas parties, and New Year’s Eve countdowns. In Taipei, Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the city would deploy police units with armored vehicles and explosives detection dogs at major year-end activities, including the Taipei 101 fireworks, CNA reported.
The frequency of police patrols will be increased on weekends and at night in popular areas including Ximending, Xinyi District, and the neighborhoods near Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan MRT station. The installation of security gates at MRT stations is under consideration, but at first extra patrols and a larger presence of security guards are being introduced, the mayor said.
