Stabbings in the heart of city a violent jolt to Taiwanese sense of safety
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Stabbings in the heart of city a violent jolt to Taiwanese sense of safety
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alt="This picture taken and released by Taiwans Central News Agency (CNA) on December 19, 2025 shows one of the entrances to Taipei Main Station being cordoned off as it is temporarily closed after an attack at the station. Attacks at metro stations in Taipei on December 19 involving smoke bombs and stabbing killed at least two people, a fire department official told AFP, adding that the suspect was also dead. (Photo by CHENG CHING-YUAN / CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT - Macau OUT - China OUT / HONG KONG OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT AFP PHOTO / CNA Photo - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS"/>Violent crime is very rare in Taiwan, lulling many into a sense of complacency.
PHOTO: AFP
alt=avatar-alt/>Yip Wai Yee
TaiwanSummary
Summary- A man, Zhang Wen, launched attacks in Taipei, throwing smoke grenades and stabbing people, killing three and injuring others. This act shook public complacency.
- Zhangs actions, including damaging cars and starting a fire, went unchecked for hours, raising questions about security and public awareness.
- Despite preparedness initiatives like defence strategies and drills, many Taiwanese people lack a sense of crisis and take safety for granted.
AI generated
TAIPEI – When a young man pulled smoke grenades from a bag in the middle of a busy Taipei road and lobbed them at shoppers on the pavement, some passersby scuttled away but many more just stood watching.
Earlier, commuters at an underground station walked unhurriedly through the smoke from the grenades, many not bothering to cover their mouths and noses.
But Zhang Wen, 27, did not just
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