A mass stabbing attack at two train stations in Taipei, Taiwan, left four people dead and at least 11 others injured during the evening rush hour on Friday, December 19, 2025. The attacker threw smoke grenades and went on a violent rampage through the capital city before falling to his death during a police chase.
The attacks began at Taipei Main Station, where the assailant threw smoke grenades to create chaos before wielding a knife in a stabbing spree. He then moved to Zhongshan Station, a popular shopping district, where he continued his assault. The attacker wore a mask and protective equipment during the rampage, which occurred during rush hour when both stations were crowded with commuters.
Among the victims was a 57-year-old man surnamed Yu who was killed while trying to stop the attack at the main station. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an confirmed that this victim died attempting to intervene and subdue the attacker.
The suspected attacker has been identified as a 27-year-old man from Taoyuan, a northern region of Taiwan. He was a former air force volunteer who had been discharged in 2022. The assailant had a prior criminal record and was wanted for obstructing military service, according to Premier Cho Jung-tai.
Cho described the incident as deliberate. “The suspect wore a mask and deliberately threw away multiple petrol bombs and smoke bombs, and then randomly attacked people … causing many injuries,” he said in a statement.
The attacker carried his weapons and smoke grenades in a wheeled suitcase, which he used to transport the items through the stations. Before the attacks, he had stayed in a nearby hotel where investigators later discovered 25 Molotov cocktails in his room. The man also damaged vehicles and started a fire at his apartment on Linsen North Road in Zhongzheng District before launching his assault on the train stations.
During the police pursuit through the busy shopping district, the attacker fell from a building and died. Police confirmed his death at the scene, bringing the total death toll to four people.
President Lai Ching-te responded swiftly to the attacks, announcing heightened security measures across Taiwan. “There will be no leniency,” the president stated, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety following the incident.
Violent crime remains relatively rare in Taiwan, making this attack particularly shocking for residents of the normally peaceful island. The Taipei metro system has long been regarded as safe and orderly, though it has experienced isolated incidents in the past. The attack has drawn comparisons to a 2014 incident when a metro attack killed four people in similar circumstances.
Videos shared on social media captured the chaotic scenes at both stations. One video showed the attacker standing in the middle of the main road outside Zhongshan subway station, pulling smoke grenades from his bag and throwing them toward crowds gathered on the sidewalk. Another clip showed him inside Taipei Main Station, removing grenades from his wheeled suitcase and tossing them into the crowded terminal.
The smoke from the grenades filled underground sections of the stations, forcing evacuations. Witnesses described a terrifying scene as the attacker continued his assault near Zhongshan Station.
Authorities have implemented preventive measures following the attacks, including tightened security protocols and increased police visibility at railway stations, highways, subway stations and airports across Taiwan. All major transportation hubs are maintaining a high level of alert and vigilance, according to government officials.
The injured victims were transported to hospitals throughout Taipei for treatment. The severity of their injuries varied, with medical personnel working to stabilize those in critical condition.
The attacks have raised concerns about public safety and security preparedness in Taiwan’s urban centers.
The investigation into the attacker’s motives continues, with authorities examining his background and any potential warning signs that may have been missed. Police are reviewing security footage from both stations and interviewing witnesses who observed the attacks unfold. The discovery of the large cache of Molotov cocktails in the hotel room suggests the attacker may have planned an even more extensive assault.
The incident has prompted discussions about mental health services and support systems for former military personnel in Taiwan. Questions have emerged about how the attacker was able to obtain such a large quantity of incendiary devices and why he was not apprehended despite having outstanding warrants for his arrest.
As Taiwan processes the shock of this violent attack, residents and officials alike are grappling with how to prevent similar incidents in the future while maintaining the sense of safety that has long characterized daily life in Taipei and other major cities. The government has pledged to review security protocols at all public transportation facilities and implement additional measures to protect civilians from potential threats.
