Man loses both eyes in bloody New Taipei neighborhood fight

Taipei, April 19 (CNA) A violent altercation between two neighbors in New Taipei left one man permanently blind after both of his eyes were dislodged, police said Saturday.

According to the Ruifang Precinct of the New Taipei City Police Department, the suspect, surnamed Chien (簡), turned himself in at around 9 a.m. Thursday and said he had just been involved in a physical confrontation with his neighbor, a man surnamed Lien (連).

Chien admitted to striking Lien in the head with a brick after a verbal argument escalated.

Police responded to the scene and found Lien lying injured, suffering from head trauma, facial injuries, swollen eyes and a chin wound.

Doctors later discovered that both of Lien's eyeballs were missing. Police returned to the scene and recovered the eyeballs, but they could not be saved, leaving Lien permanently blind.

Investigators said the two men had a history of disputes, and during the altercation, Lien reportedly bit Chien's arm and refused to let go. In an attempt to break free, Chien jabbed at Lien's face, causing the severe eye injuries.

Chien was handed over to the Keelung District Prosecutors Office for further investigation on suspicion of attempted murder. He was released on NT$120,000 (US$3,700) bail after questioning.