4 People Dead, 9 Injured After Mass Stabbing Attack and Smoke Bombing at Train Station By Escher Walcott

At least four people are dead and multiple others are injured after a mass knife attack in Taiwan.

On Friday, Dec. 19, smoke bombs were set off at the main train station in the Taiwanese capital of Taipei amid a “random knife attack” that was then continued at Zhongshan Station. Four people were killed during the rampage, including the attacker, Reuters reported.

Nine others were also injured during the incident, according to the National Police Agency (NPA). The injured victims suffered stab wounds and blunt forehead trauma and were hospitalized, Premier Cho Jung-tai confirmed.

“The suspect wore a mask and deliberately threw away multiple petrol bombs and smoke bombs, and then randomly attacked people … causing many injuries,” said Jung-tai said in a translated Facebook post.

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The attacks at both stations are believed to have been carried out by one suspect, 27-year-old Chang Wen, who is now deceased, per Reuters.

Wen allegedly damaged multiple vehicles and set fire to where he lived before the stabbing spree, ABC News reported, citing Chang Jung-Hsin, director-general of the National Police Agency.

“The suspect planned an indiscriminate attack. He acted according to his plan,” said Jung-Hsin, per the outlet.

The suspect then “jumped to his death” during the police pursuit, the city’s mayor, Jiang Wan’an, confirmed on Facebook.

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Local police have implemented preventive and response measures following the attacks in the area, including tightened security and increased police visibility, according to the NPA. The motive for the attacks is unknown at this time.

Jung-tai has urged the police to “maintain a high level of alert” across the country, particularly at stations that could be potential targets for future attacks.

“The government will fully support the families of the victims, the injured, and the volunteers for compensation, compensation and follow-up care,” he said in a translated Facebook post.

President Lai Ching-te said in a statement on Instagram, “I would like to express my deepest condolences to the people who lost their lives in last night’s horrific, violent attack, my condolences to the families, and my thanks to the medical team for their efforts to rescue the injured.”

“…I would also like to express my sincere gratitude and respect to all those who stood up during the incident to stop the perpetrator from hurting others further…,” he continued.

“I have requested that the relevant units of the prosecution, police, and investigation departments conduct a comprehensive, in-depth, and thorough investigation into the perpetrator’s background, motives, whether there were accomplices, and whether anyone instigated the attack, to ensure that the truth is revealed to the public,” Ching-te concluded.

PEOPLE has contacted the NPA for further comment amid their investigation.