 "Three killed in coordinated attacks at Taipei metro, suspect also killed")
A series of attacks involving smoke bombs and stabbings at metro stations in Taipei on Friday left at least three people dead, with authorities confirming that the suspected attacker also died, a fire department official said.
Taiwanese Premier Cho Jung-tai said the incidents at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan Station were intentional, though the motive behind the attacks remains unclear.
In a statement, Cho said the suspect was wearing a mask and hurled “five or six” gasoline bombs or smoke grenades at Taipei Main Station.
The Taipei City Fire Department later confirmed that four people, including the suspect, were killed in the attacks, while five others sustained injuries.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the suspect appeared to have jumped from a building in an apparent attempt to evade arrest. He added that one of the victims was killed while trying to intervene and stop the attack at Taipei Main Station.
“Sadly, he was attacked and lost his life. This is something that deeply saddens us all,” Chiang told reporters.
The mayor said authorities believe the suspect died by suicide after jumping from a building and that his death has been confirmed.
Cho earlier said three people suffered cardiac arrest as a result of the attacks, and several people had “injuries from stab wounds and blunt force trauma to various parts of their bodies”.
Authorities said they were ramping up security across the island in response to the attacks.
“All important locations… including railway stations, highways, subway stations and airports are maintaining a high level of alert and vigilance,” Cho told reporters.
Quick Reads
View AllImages released by Taiwan’s Central News Agency show a canister on the ground at the Main Station, with officers examining potential evidence at the scene.
A video posted on social media shows a thick cloud of white smoke covering an underground section of a metro station, with some people standing at a distance.
President Lai Ching-te said Taiwanese authorities will “quickly clarify the details of the case. There will be no leniency and we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our citizens.”
Violent crime is rare Taiwan, though an attack in 2014 horrified the normally peaceful island when a man went on a stabbing spree on Taipei’s metro, killing four people. He was executed for the killings in 2016.
 "Yunus vows action as groups backing his regime run amok around Bangladesh")
 "India vs South Africa LIVE Score 5th T20 at Ahmedabad: Tilak, Pandya slam fifties, steer India towards big total")
 "Can a Europe that can't get its budgets right afford to fund Ukraine?")
 "Mob sets Bangla cultural group Udichi Shilpigosthi’s office on fire in Dhaka")
 "Yunus vows action as groups backing his regime run amok around Bangladesh")
 "India vs South Africa LIVE Score 5th T20 at Ahmedabad: Tilak, Pandya slam fifties, steer India towards big total")
 "Can a Europe that can't get its budgets right afford to fund Ukraine?")
 "Mob sets Bangla cultural group Udichi Shilpigosthi’s office on fire in Dhaka")
