Taiwan holds drill to boost response after deadly metro stabbing
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Police officers confronting a man with a fake knife during a drill, following a deadly stabbing rampage in Taipei.
PHOTO: AFP
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TAIPEI – Wielding fake knives and throwing pretend petrol bombs, mock attackers charged at passengers in a Taipei transportation hub on Dec 26 as part of a drill to bolster responses following a deadly rampage in the Taiwanese capital.
On Dec 19, an assailant set off smoke bombs inside Taipei’s main metro station during rush hour before launching into a stabbing spree, killing three people
The 27-year-old suspect was found dead later on the same day, with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an saying the man apparently jumped off a building.
Officials have since called for the improvement of emergency protocols and for the police to have adequate training to respond to incidents of violent crime, which are rare in Taiwan.
The drill conducted on Dec 26 was aimed at boosting responses to random, indiscriminate attacks to “ensure the safety of all citizens”, said Mr Chiang.
The two mock attackers simulated throwing petrol bombs onto the platform in a metro stop near the Taipei city government, with police evacuating passengers and putting out the pretend fire.
The attackers then moved to a nearby bus hub and charged at people in front of a ticket counter before they were tackled down by police.
Residents were notified of the drill, which included more than 300 participants, via text messages.
Mr Chiang said: “Through today’s high-intensity drill, we will thoroughly and comprehensively review the existing defence mechanisms, leaving no stone unturned.
“We must approach all potential emergencies with a mindset of anticipating the worst-case scenario and responding decisively.”
Police have said following last week’s attack that officers arrived on the scene relatively quickly, but did not expect the attacker to be armed.
At the metro station where the drill was taking place, product manager Shell Kuo said she was passing by but stayed to watch.
She said that like other drills – such as those to prepare for an earthquake – “this is quite necessary... so that we know how to respond if a real situation arises”.
Police have yet to ascertain the motive for last week’s attack, which spanned Taipei’s main station, an underground shopping district and another metro stop.
Officials said the rampage was deliberate, and preliminarily ruled out terrorism
The suspect served in the military but was discharged over driving under the influence of alcohol, according to police, who said he was wanted after failing to report for reserve training.
Investigators found searches for “random killings” on his iPad, including material related to a Taipei metro stabbing in 2014 that killed four people. AFP
First responders attending to a man playing the role of a wounded victim during a security drill in Taipei.
PHOTO: AFP
