Family of Taipei knife attack victim to get NT$5 million compensation

Taipei, Dec. 20 (CNA) Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said Saturday that the family of a 57-year-old man who died trying to subdue the perpetrator of a mass stabbing spree in Taipei will receive NT$5 million (US$158,584) in compensation.

Chiang made the comments after convening an emergency security response meeting on the incident Saturday morning with city officials and representatives from relevant agencies.

Regarding support for the injured and the families of the deceased, Chiang said a contact window has been established to provide psychological counseling and legal consultation, and to assist with applications for compensation from the Association for Victims Support (AVS), as well as insurance claims from the Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) or the Eslite Spectrum Nanxi store.

Established by the Ministry of Justice, AVS provides assistance to people injured in criminal cases and to families of victims who died as a result of criminal acts, including state compensation under the Crime Victim Rights Protection Act.

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

The man, identified by his last name Yu (余), acted bravely when he confronted the attacker at MRT Taipei Main Station, Chiang said, adding that his family will receive at least NT$5 million in compensation through the TRTC's insurance coverage.

TRTC Chairman Chao Shiao-lien (趙紹廉) expressed gratitude for Yu's actions, saying his intervention helped prevent further injuries in the attack at the station.

Friday's attacks have left four dead, including the perpetrator.

Lien Tang-kai (連堂凱), head of Taipei's Department of Legal Affairs, said the department will assign one lawyer to each injured person and to each victim's family to assist with insurance claims and compensation.

During the event, Chiang said the city will bolster security for large-scale public events, particularly the upcoming New Year's Eve countdown party, by deploying special police units, among other measures.

Police have been instructed to raise alert levels across crowded areas in Taipei, including increasing patrols and stepping up inspections during weekends and nighttime hours, particularly around Taipei Main Station, the Zhongshan commercial area, Ximending and the Xinyi District, he said.