Taiwan: Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taipei metro

Sunday, December 21, 2025 -A shocking attack unfolded in central Taipei on December 19, 2025, when a man armed with smoke grenades and a knife launched a violent assault near Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan metro station, killing at least three civilians and injuring around 11 others during Friday evening rush hour. 

Authorities say the suspect initially set off multiple smoke devices to sow confusion and then ramped up the violence with indiscriminate stabbings in and around the crowded transport hubs and a nearby shopping area.

Police identified the attacker as a 27-year-old man named Chang Wen and confirmed he acted alone, with no immediate signs of accomplices. After a chaotic pursuit by officers, the suspect fell from a nearby building and was later pronounced dead. 

Investigators have recovered additional weapons from his hotel and home and believe he planned the assault, but his motive remains unclear and is under active investigation.

The attack has deeply unsettled Taiwan, where such violent incidents are rare, prompting emergency security measures across major transport hubs and commercial districts. 

Top officials, including the president and Taipei’s mayor, have pledged thorough investigations into the suspect’s background and circumstances. Hospitals continue to treat the wounded, with some in critical condition, as authorities work to reassure the public and prevent further harm.