A violent knife attack in the heart of Taiwan's capital has left three people dead and nine others injured, with the suspect later falling to his death from a department store building.
Chaos in the Capital: The Attack Unfolds
The incident began on the evening of Friday 19 December 2025. According to reports from Taiwan's Central News Agency and the Taipei city government, a 27-year-old man, identified as Chang Wen, initiated a random assault on crowds.
Chang first threw a smoke grenade near an underground exit of the Taipei Main subway station, which is located close to the city's primary train hub. The explosion of smoke caused immediate panic, sending pedestrians fleeing in all directions.
The assailant then moved north into a popular shopping district. He entered the Eslite department store, where he proceeded to stab multiple victims on both the first and fourth floors. Police reports indicate that the attacks were primarily targeted at the victims' necks.
Aftermath and Fatal Conclusion
The attack resulted in a tragic loss of life and multiple injuries. Local hospitals confirmed three fatalities. The Taipei city government stated that a further nine people were hospitalised, with one individual reported to be in a serious condition.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai provided harrowing details, noting that one of the wounded was a pedestrian who collapsed after being attacked and was already in cardiac arrest before reaching a hospital. Another person sustained respiratory injuries from the smoke grenade.
The manhunt for the suspect ended abruptly. Police reported that Chang jumped from the sixth floor of the department store building. He was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital.
Background of the Suspect
Investigations into Chang Wen's background revealed he was a wanted man prior to the attack. The Central News Agency reported that he had failed to report for reserve military training in November 2024 and was wanted for violating laws on mandatory military service.
Authorities indicated that Chang had not reported a change in his household registration. This administrative failure led to the non-delivery of his reserve military service summons, according to a district prosecutors' office cited in the reports.
This tragic event has sent shockwaves through Taipei, raising questions about public safety and the circumstances that led to such a violent outburst in one of the city's busiest districts.
