2024 Taichung Metro attack

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2024 Taichung Metro attack
Taichung City Hall Station Platform 1.jpg
Taichung City Hall Station platform
Location Taichung Metro Green Line (between Shui-an Temple and Taichung City Hall), Taichung, Taiwan
Date21 May 2024
11:15 (National Standard Time; UTC+08:00)
TargetNonspecific passengers of Taichung Metro
Attack type
Stabbing
WeaponsKnives
Deaths0
Injured3 (including the suspect)
MotiveUnder investigation

On 21 May 2024, a Taiwanese man carried out a stabbing spree directed at passengers on a Taichung Metro train near Taichung City Hall station. Three people, including the attacker, were injured. The attack occurred exactly ten years after the 2014 Taipei Metro attack. [1] [2]

Contents

Attack and immediate reponses

The attacker entered Shui-an Temple Station at 11:03, boarded the train at 11:14, and began the attack at 11:15. [3] After the train stopped at Taichung City Hall at 11:16, [3] the attack was reported to the Taichung City Government Fire Bureau at 11:17. [4] A 17-year-old victim was lacerated in the chest, shoulder and arm. The other victim, a 27-year-old male, was slashed from his cheek to his jaw while attempting to stop the attack. The attacker injured his fingers. [4] [5] The injured were treated at Lin Shin Hospital. [6] Between 11:20 and 15:10, authorities conducted an investigation. [3]

In response to the attack, Taichung Mass Rapid Transit merged traffic from Wenxin Chongde and Wenxin Yinghua stations onto one track, while operations at Taichung City Hall station were suspended and restored by 15:30. [3] [7] [8]

Investigation

Authorities collected three knives at the scene. [9] [10] An early investigation led by Taichung City Police Department's Sixth Precinct determined that the attacker was a nursing student in Kaohsiung, and had checked into a motel room in Xitun District, Taichung, the day before the stabbing. [11] [5] [8] The attacker had arrived in Taichung without notifying his family of his travel plans. After relatives had been informed of the attack, they traveled to Taichung. [8]

Police sent the case to the Taichung District Prosecutor's Office. [12]

Aftermath

Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen commending "Long-Haired Man" Hsu Jui-hsien (right), the 27-year old victim. Chang Fa Ge -Xu Xian Sheng Shou Biao Yang .jpg
Taichung Mayor Lu Shiow-yen commending "Long-Haired Man" Hsu Jui-hsien (right), the 27-year old victim.

The 27-year old stabbing victim recovered after surgery, [13] and both he and the 17-year old were awarded free rides on the Taichung Metro for life by mayor Lu Shiow-yen, who also stated that the Taichung City Government would pay medical fees for the victims and offer them free metro for life . [14] [15] The teenage victim's father planned to raise NT$2 million and use the funds to purchase shields and batons for the Taichung Metro. [16] On the commendation, the 27-year old stabbing victim wore Monster Hunter clothes and cited lines from Frieren in order to overturn the preconception of otaku. His action quickly incites disscussions among the local anime fandom. [17] [18]

During the attack, Taichung Mass Rapid Transit received two notifications from the emergency intercommunications system. However, they reported no response from passengers, and concluded that riders had been too panicked to reply. [3] In turn, passengers claimed that did not hear from the control center. As a result, Lu additionally vowed to improve the responsiveness of the intercom. [19]

Following the attack, police in Kaohsiung increased the frequency of patrols in train cars, throughout major Kaohsiung Metro stations, and in areas surrounding metro stations. [20] The Taipei City Government announced similar measures for the Taipei Metro. [21]

Shortly before Tsai Ing-wen stepped down as president, Ministry of Justice officials in her administration had defended the death penalty to justices of the Constitutional Court. [22] [23] As the attack happened the day after she had been replaced by William Lai, Lai's justice minister Cheng Ming-chien commented on the further discussion of the death penalty inspired by this attack. [24]

Related Research Articles

Mass Rapid Transit in general refers to a fully grade separated heavy-rail metro system.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipei Metro</span> Metro system in Taiwan

Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT), branded as Metro Taipei, is a rapid transit system serving the capital Taipei and New Taipei City in Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kaohsiung Metro</span> Transit system in Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Kaohsiung Metro (Chinese: 高雄大眾捷運系統, 高雄捷運) is a rapid transit and light rail system covering the metropolitan area of Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Its rapid transit network is known as Kaohsiung Mass Rapid Transit System or Kaohsiung Rapid Transit (KRT). Construction of the MRT started in October 2001. The MRT opened in 2008 and the Circular light rail in 2015. Kaohsiung Metro is operated by the Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corporation (KRTC; Chinese: 高雄捷運公司) under a BOT contract the company signed with the Kaohsiung City Government.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taipei Main Station</span> Major railway station in Taiwan

Taipei Main Station is a major metro and railway station in the capital Taipei, Taiwan. It is served by Taipei Metro, the Taiwan High Speed Rail, and Taiwan Railway. It is also connected through underground passageways to the terminal station of Taoyuan Airport MRT and the Taipei Bus Station. It is the busiest station in Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">EasyCard</span> Contactless smart card used in Taiwan

The EasyCard is a contactless smartcard system operated by the EasyCard Corporation, which was previously named the "Taipei Smart Card Corporation", for payment on the Taipei Metro, buses, and other public transport services in Taipei since June 2002, and its usage has since expanded to multiple kinds of businesses. Its use has also since been expanded to include convenience stores, department stores, supermarkets, taxis, and other retailers since 1 April 2010. Like conventional electronic fare systems, the card employs RFID technology to operate without physical contact. They are available for purchase at all Metro stations and all chain convenience stores.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taiwan Pride</span> Annual LGBT pride parade in Taipei and other cities of the Republic of China

Taiwan Pride is the annual LGBTQ pride parade in Taiwan. The parade was first held in 2003. Although joined by groups from all over the country, the primary location has always been the capital city of Taipei. The parade held in October 2019 attracted more than 200,000 participants, making it the largest gay pride event in East Asia. As of 2019, it is the largest in Asia ahead of Tel Aviv Pride in Israel, which is the largest in the Middle East. Taiwan LGBT Pride Community, the organizer of Taiwan LGBTQ Pride Parade, holds the parade on the last Saturday of October.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Taichung Metro</span> Metro rail system in Taichung, Taiwan

The Taichung MRT is a medium-capacity rapid transit system in Taichung, Taiwan. In addition to Taichung, it may serve Changhua and Nantou counties in the future. Taichung Metro's first route, the Green Line, officially began operation on April 25, 2021, making it the 5th rapid transit system operating in Taiwan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Taiwan</span> Overview of transport industry in Taiwan

The Ministry of Transportation and Communications governs transportation in Taiwan.

Events from the year 2014 in Taiwan, Republic of China. This year is numbered Minguo 103 according to the official Republic of China calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 Taipei Metro attack</span> Fatal stabbing spree in Taiwan

On 21 May 2014, a Taiwanese man carried out a stabbing spree directed at random civilians on a Taipei Metro train near Jiangzicui Station, resulting in four deaths and 24 injuries. It was the first fatal attack on the city's subway system since operations began in 1996. The attacker, 21-year-old Cheng Chieh, was arrested after the attack. He was sentenced to death, in addition to 144 years in prison, and was executed on 10 May 2016.

Events from the year 2015 in Taiwan, Republic of China. This year is numbered Minguo 104 according to the official Republic of China calendar.

Events from the year 2016 in Taiwan.

Events from the year 2017 in Taiwan, Republic of China. This year is numbered Minguo 106 according to the official Republic of China calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yen Kuan-heng</span> Taiwanese politician

Yen Kuan-heng is a Taiwanese politician. He was elected to the Legislative Yuan from Taichung in 2013, to replace his father Yen Ching-piao in office. Yen lost reelection to Chen Po-wei in 2020, and returned to office in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lu Shiow-yen</span> Taiwanese politician and television presenter

Lu Shiow-yen is a Taiwanese politician and former television presenter. She is the incumbent mayor of Taichung since 25 December 2018.

A by-election was held on 9 January 2022 in Taichung to elect one member of the Legislative Yuan for the Taichung City Constituency II for the remaining term until 2024. Democratic Progressive Party legislator Lin Ching-yi won the by-election for Taichung 2 to replace Chen Po-wei, who was recalled on 23 October 2021.

Events from the year 2023 in Taiwan, Republic of China. This year is numbered Minguo 112 according to the official Republic of China calendar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Taichung crane collapse</span> Railway accident in Taiwan

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References

  1. ↑ Xu, Xiaofei; Yeung, Jessie (21 May 2024). "Passengers subdue Taiwan metro knife assailant on tenth anniversary of deadly attack". CNN.com. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Chin, Hui Shan (21 May 2024). "Man stabs passengers on Taiwan train on 10th anniversary of deadly subway stabbing spree". The Straits Times. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 趙, 麗妍; 郝, 雪卿; 蘇, 木春 (21 May 2024). "乘客持刀傷人 台中捷運公司還原2分鐘經過" (in Chinese). Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  4. 1 2 Chao, Li-yen; Hao, Hsueh-ching; Su, Mu-chun; Wu, Kuan-hsien (21 May 2024). "Man stabs two on Taichung metro, stopped by passengers". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  5. 1 2 Hsu, Kuo-chen; Chang, Hsuan-che; Chin, Jonathan (22 May 2024). "Man stabs two on MRT; passengers subdue him". Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  6. ↑ Chang, Jui-chen; Madjar, Kayleigh (21 May 2024). "Four injured in knife attack on Taichung MRT". Taipei Times. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  7. ↑ Chao, Li-yen; Su, Mu-chun; Wu, Kuan-hsien (21 May 2024). "At least 4 wounded in Taichung metro stabbing". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  8. 1 2 3 Chao, Li-yen; Hao, Hsueh-chin; Su, Mu-chun; Ko, Lin (21 May 2024). "Suspect in Taichung metro attack to be investigated for attempted murder". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "Passengers subdue attacker on Taichung City Hall MRT". TVBS. 21 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  10. ↑ Everington, Keoni (21 May 2024). "2 passengers, 1 suspect injured in knife attack on Taichung MRT". Taiwan News. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  11. ↑ "Taichung metro knife attacker identified". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  12. ↑ Everington, Keoni (22 May 2024). "Heroes who subdued Taichung metro attacker to ride MRT free for life". Taiwan News. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  13. ↑ "Taichung metro hero safe after surgery, warns of scam". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  14. ↑ "Taichung mayor awards heroes free metro rides for life". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  15. ↑ Su, Mu-chun; Kao, Evelyn (22 May 2024). "Passengers who stopped Taichung metro attacker to get free rides for life: Mayor". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024. Republished as: "Free rides for people who helped subdue attacker". Taipei Times. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 23 May 2024.
  16. ↑ Hao, Hsueh-ching; Ko, Lin (24 May 2024). "Father of Taichung metro attack victim plans safety equipment donation". Central News Agency. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  17. ↑ 鍾, 知諭. "宅宅之光！中捷「長髮哥」領獎　穿魔物獵人周邊、引用《葬送的芙莉蓮》金句". 上報 (in Chinese). Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  18. ↑ 林, 彥廷 (2024-06-05). "長髮哥引用《葬送的芙莉蓮》台詞紅到國外　官方也發「如果是欣梅爾的話一定會這麼做的」" (in Chinese). CTS. Retrieved 2024-07-04.
  19. ↑ "Taichung mayor vows to improve metro intercom after attack". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  20. ↑ "Kaohsiung police boost MRT security after metro attack". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  21. ↑ "Taipei mayor boosts metro security after stabbing incident". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  22. ↑ Teng, Pei-ju (30 April 2024). "ANALYSIS/Key arguments from constitutional court's debate on death penalty". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  23. ↑ Teng, Pei-ju (23 April 2024). "Overcoming family tragedy, attorney urges death penalty abolition in court debate". Central News Agency. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
  24. ↑ "Taichung Metro stabbing reignites death penalty discussions". TVBS. 22 May 2024. Retrieved 22 May 2024.
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