Police presence to be boosted in Taiwan's crowded areas: Lai

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Saturday that the government will deploy more police, including rapid response units, in crowded public areas to ensure a swift response to any threats, following a random knife attack that left three people dead and several others injured in Taipei the previous day.

The incident on Friday highlighted the need for improvements in police deployment in busy public areas, Lai told reporters at National Taiwan University Hospital, where he was visiting injured victims and meeting with their families.

The rapid response units will help to improve public safety and ensure a quick response to emergencies, the president said.

• Police seize suspect's laptop, old cellphone after Taipei stabbing spree

During the attack on Friday, a 27-year-old man, later identified as Chang Wen (張文), tossed smoke grenades in Taipei Main Station and went on a stabbing spree in that area and the nearby Zhongshan shopping district, leaving three people dead and several others injured, according to police.

Chang then allegedly fell to his death from the sixth floor of the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi building in Taipei when being pursued by police.

On Saturday, Lai offered his condolences to the bereaved families and thanked the hospitals for their emergency treatment of the injured.

He said he has instructed the relevant agencies to thoroughly investigate the suspect's background and motive and determine whether there were accomplices or others linked to the attack.

The president also commended the members of the public for their bravery in trying to stop the attacker and prevent any further injuries.

"Your brave deeds were truly admirable," Lai said.

• Man killed trying to stop random knife attacker: Taipei mayor

Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) also visited injured victims at MacKay Memorial Hospital in Taipei on Saturday and thanked those who had tried to deter the suspect.

One of them was a man surnamed Liu (劉), an employee of Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC), which operates the Taipei Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, Cho said.

Liu was on duty at a data center at Taipei Main Station on Friday when he saw smoke and fire nearby, Cho said. The employee rushed to the scene, trying to extinguish the blaze, and he suffered smoke inhalation injury, the premier said, adding that he has asked the TRTC to formally commend Liu for his bravery.

Another man surnamed Yu (余), 57, was stabbed to death while attempting to stop the suspect from releasing a smoke grenade, according to Taipei police.

President, premier order heightened security after Taipei attacks

Cho said the government will investigate the motive behind the attack and will seek to strengthen preventive measures.

Security will be tightened on major railways and highways, in MRT and train stations, and at airports nationwide, with increased police presence and enhanced equipment, Cho said. Those measures will remain in place in the long term to improve confidence in public security, he added.

He urged the public not to spread unverified information and to remain calm, and he asked for the government to be given "a little more time" as the investigation continues.

Later on Saturday, President Lai was briefed by the National Police Agency on the progress of the investigation into Friday's attack.

At the briefing, Lai said that hospitals should be ready to provide long-term counseling for those affected by the incident, that consolation payments must be issued for the victims' families, and that honors should be conferred on the individuals who helped to contain the attack.