Taiwan: At least three killed and six injured in mass stabbing in Taipei

A series of coordinated stabbings in and around the Taipei subway caused the deaths of at least three people and injured about six others.

The suspect used smoke grenades to create chaos before attacking and later died while fleeing from police.

It is unclear how the assailant, allegedly a man in his 20s, got to the rooftop of a building from where he jumped to evade arrest.

"A deliberate act"

Taiwanese Prime Minister Cho Jung-tai declared that the attacks on stations in Taipei and Zhongshan were "a deliberate act," although the motive has remained unclear, Channel News Asia (CNA) reported.

Cho also said the suspect wore a mask and threw "five or six gasoline bombs or smoke grenades" at Taipei's main station.

The suspected attacker had a criminal record and outstanding warrants, and his home has been searched, Cho told reporters.

"We will investigate his background and associated relationships to understand his motives and determine if there are other connected factors," he added, identifying the man only by his surname, Chang.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said the government would tighten security and quickly investigate the case to ensure public safety.

The attacker apparently "committed suicide"

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an told reporters that the alleged assailant, wanted for refusing military service, apparently "committed suicide by jumping from a building to escape arrest." One of the victims died while trying to stop the attack at the main station, the mayor added.

A witness told local broadcaster EBC News that he had seen "a man running toward the assailant and trying to reduce him." "At first I thought it was a drill, but then I saw a person with a knife and throwing smoke grenades," said the person, who did not reveal his name.