At least three people have been confirmed dead after a man allegedly went on a machete stabbing spree, targeting members of the public seemingly at random in the Taiwanese capital, Taipei.
It is understood that several others were injured during the course of the incident which took place Friday at approximately 5pm evening local time.
Images purported to be of the attack, in which the suspect allegedly let of smoke bombs, show a man dressed in black walking in the middle of a busy thoroughfare, before brandishing a machete like bladed object and making slashing motions towards passers by.
Local authorities say that the suspect, reported dead after a fall from a building in the midst of a police chase, targeted his victims in an “indiscriminate” fashion.
Taiwan’s premier, Cho Jung-tai said that the incident was a “deliberate” attack.
“He deliberately threw smoke bombs and wielded a long knife to carry out indiscriminate attacks on the public,” the premier added.
After setting off the smoke bombs at the central train station, the suspect then ran to a shopping district where he carried out the fatal attacks.
Mayor of Taipei, Chiang Wan-an said that the attacker had died after jumping from a building “to evade arrest and has been confirmed dead”.
The attacker has thus far been identified by his surname, Chang, with premier Cho saying, “We will investigate his background and associated relationships to understand his motives and determine if there are other connected factors,”