TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Railway police have increased patrols and fixed-point watches at Taipei Main Station after a young Filipino girl was injured in a Saturday attack in the station’s first-floor lobby.
The girl had arrived in Taiwan with her family that day and was walking through the station when a man allegedly struck and kicked her before the child’s mother pushed him away, her father told the media, per CNA.
Railway police said the first call came in at 2:25 p.m. after the incident drew attention in the main hall. Officers later found a man surnamed Lee (李), 40, outside West Gate 1 after witnesses pointed him out as the suspect.
Police said surveillance video showed Lee kicking the child in the abdomen, according to the report. Paramedics took the girl to National Taiwan University Hospital. Fire officials said she remained awake after the attack and had visible swelling on her face and body.
Lee allegedly told police he was angered by the child playing and making noise. Police referred him to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office on suspicion of attempted murder, and prosecutors later asked the Taipei District Court to detain him and bar visits and communications, per CNA.
The girl’s father said many bystanders helped the family and called police after the attack. He said his daughter’s condition was stable, though she remained injured, and voiced concern Lee could harm other children if released.
Her father thanked people at the station for stepping in and said police arrived promptly. He added that his daughter did not sustain critical injuries, per the report.
Despite the incident, the father said the family would continue its trip. He said he likes Taiwan and the Taiwanese and would still consider visiting the country again.
Railway police said Sunday that they would increase fixed-point watches in the first-floor lobby, the basement MRT connection areas, and the platform level, as well as up their rate of patrols.
