Knife attack on Taiwan train, 4 dead

A university student went on a stabbing spree aboard a Taipei subway train on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old killed four people and wounded 21 others with knives. Half of the wounded are in serious condition, police said.

Cheng Chieh began attacking travellers on a subway train at 4pm, sending hundreds of people screaming and fleeing for help.  

When the train pulled into Jiangzicui station, he fled and was chased by police. He was kicked to the ground by a passenger and overwhelmed by security officials.

Mr Chen Kuo-en, chief of the New Taipei City police bureau, told reporters: “He told the police that he had wanted to do a ‘big thing’ such as this since his childhood​."

"He said he had planned to do this after his graduation, but last week decided to act ahead of his schedule.”

Cheng bought two knives - a 30cm-long knife and a 10-cm-long one - at a supermarket in Taipei in preparation for the attack, Mr Chen said​

One witness said: “He started his attack from the last carriage of the train.”

This is the first fatal attack on the city’s subway system since it began operations in 1996, police said.

Source: AFP, Mail Online