Three blasts heard inside Taiwan train before it burst into flames

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Police in Taiwan are investigating the cause of an explosion on a train at a railway station in the capital, Taipei, that injured 21 people.
Above: A member of a bomb squad inside the train carriage. Witnesses say they saw a man leaving a bag in the cabin moments before the explosion. Left: Emergency service staff tending to an injured passenger after a blast on board a train in Taipei's
A member of a bomb squad inside the train carriage. Witnesses say they saw a man leaving a bag in the cabin moments before the explosion. PHOTOS: THE CHINA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY
Above: A member of a bomb squad inside the train carriage. Witnesses say they saw a man leaving a bag in the cabin moments before the explosion. Left: Emergency service staff tending to an injured passenger after a blast on board a train in Taipei's
Emergency service staff tending to an injured passenger after a blast on board a train in Taipei's Songshan Railway Station yesterday. PHOTOS: THE CHINA POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK, EUROPEAN PRESSPHOTO AGENCY

At least 21 people were injured in an explosion last night in a commuter train cabin in Taipei's Songshan Railway Station, in what is believed to be the worst train blast on the island.

The train was travelling from the north-western city of Hsinchu to the north-eastern port city of Keelung, some three hours away.

It is not clear what caused the blast but National Police Agency director-general Chen Kuo-en said that for now, it appears that it is not likely to be a terrorist attack.

Witnesses said they heard three blasts inside the cabin before it burst into flames.

They saw a man who walked in and left a bag in the cabin moments before the explosion.

A 20cm-long black object was found on the train seat, according to police.

Mr Chen said the object "looked like a firecracker", reported Central News Agency. Some witnesses said they smelled gunpowder.

Taipei's Fire Department said it received a message about the explosion at around 10pm and sent more than 10 ambulances and 10 fire engines to the scene. The fire was then extinguished.

The city's police officers are on the hunt for the suspect. Witnesses said he is believed to be in his 40s.

Premier Lin Chuan has ordered relevant government agencies to form a team to investigate the explosion and to help the victims get the best medical attention, Cabinet spokesman Tung Chen-yuan said.

Medical staff said four people are seriously hurt, including a 14-year- old boy who sustained second- to third-degree burns on his face.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on July 08, 2016, with the headline Three blasts heard inside Taiwan train before it burst into flames. Subscribe