Taipei conducted a security drill on Friday (December 26), following last week's fatal stabbing attack in the city centre that killed three people.

The exercise, ahead of the city’s New Year's Eve fireworks celebration, simulated three scenarios, including a Molotov cocktail attack in a subway station and an indiscriminate armed attack at a bus transit centre and a shopping mall.

Chuang, a Taipei resident and teacher who observed part of the drill, said the simulation was well executed and met “the citizens’ expectations”. He added the December 19 attack had heightened security concerns but Friday’s drill assured him that the authorities were taking public safety seriously.

Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an, in an address in front of a group of firefighters and drill participants, said the drill was one of three planned before the Lunar New Year festive season in February.

Twenty-seven-year-old Chang Wen let off smoke bombs at Taipei's main train station last Friday (December 19), then made his way to a mall at a nearby subway station, attacking people both inside the shopping centre and on his way there. Chang died falling from a building during a police chase.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

TAIPEI, TAIWAN (DECEMBER 26, 2025) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. PEOPLE RUNNING AND DISPERSING DURING MOLOTOV COCKTAIL ATTACK SIMULATION AT SUBWAY PLATFORM

2. PEOPLE UNDERGOING ATTACK SIMULATION

3. EMERGENCY RESPONSE ARRIVING AT PLATFORM

4. SIGN READING (Chinese and English): "TAIPEI CITY HALL"

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIPEI RESIDENT AND TEACHER, CHUANG (FIRST NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING:

“I just watched the city government’s drill, and it was very comprehensive. They even coordinated with the department store’s drill. I think all of this meets the citizens’ expectations and needs, because if something like this happens again in the future, they will have a proper response in place. It’s also a measure that provides protection and safety for the citizens.”

6. FIREFIGHTERS CARRYING STRETCHER RUNNING DOWN ESCALATOR

7. VARIOUS OF FIREFIGHTERS HELPING PERSON SIMULATING AS VICTIM ON GROUND

8. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIPEI RESIDENT AND TEACHER, CHUANG (FIRST NAME NOT GIVEN), SAYING:

“As for the previous attack (on December 19), I think it caused a great deal of fear. I didn’t even feel comfortable going out on the streets to shop. But knowing that the city government and public safety authorities, such as shopping centres, have proper security measures in place, then I feel I can step out of my home again and go shopping.”

9. PEOPLE SIMULATING AS ATTACKERS RUNNING TOWARDS PEOPLE AT BUS STATION, PUSHING PERSON ONTO GROUND / POLICE CONFRONTING PEOPLE SIMULATING AS ATTACKERS

10. POLICE CONFRONTING PERSON SIMULATING AS ATTACKER

11. PERSON SIMULATING AS VICTIM LAYING ON GROUND

12. POLICE SURROUNDING, TASING AND APPREHENDING PERSON SIMULATING AS ATTACKER

13. FIREFIGHTERS HELPING PERSON SIMULATING AS VICTIM

14. RED STAINS SIMULATING BLOOD ON GROUND

15. FIREFIGHTERS CARRYING PERSON SIMULATING AS VICTIM AWAY

16. SIGN READING (Chinese and English): "TAIPEI CITY HALL BUS STATION"

17. FIREFIGHTERS AND DRILL PERSONNEL LINING UP IN BUS STATION LOBBY

18. FIREFIGHTERS

19. TAIPEI MAYOR CHIANG WAN-AN SPEAKING TO FIREFIGHTERS AND DRILL PERSONNEL

20. (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) TAIPEI MAYOR, CHIANG WAN-AN, SAYING:

“We need to ensure the safety of all citizens. Through today’s high-intensity drill, we aim to carry out a thorough and comprehensive review of our public safety system.”

21. CHIANG FINISHING ADDRESS