Following yesterday’s tragedy, Premier Jiang Yi-huah directed the Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Transportation and Communications to propose specific safety measures, Sun said.
These include precautionary and response procedures to prevent such incidents from happening again, Sun said, adding that authorities should also strengthen training for relevant staffers in such emergency to minimize potential damage and restore order soonest possible.
Sun’s remarks follow the knife attack by a 21 year-old male riding the Bannan Line heading west between Longshan Temple Station in Taipei City and Jiangzicui Station in New Taipei City. He killed four passengers and wounded 23 before being overpowered by police and metro staff. It is the most serious public safety incident since the metro began operations in 1996.
In addition to offering deep condolences to the victims and their families, Sun said the government will provide assistance in terms of medical care and arrange compensation.
Taipei Mayor Hau Long-bin said he has directed the police to tighten security on the city’s metro lines and requested backup from the National Police Agency.
New Taipei Mayor Eric Liluan Chu also said he will up security at the city’s 34 metro stations. (SFC-JSM)
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