Taichung City, Taiwan — March 21, 2026
A festive celebration in Taichung City turned violent on Thursday evening after a man allegedly attacked several attendees with a knife, leaving three individuals injured.
The incident occurred at around 8:20 p.m. in Taiping District, where a local temple was hosting a “Touya” festival—an annual thanksgiving event that typically draws large crowds. According to authorities, a 54-year-old man surnamed Lai reportedly arrived at the venue on a motorcycle and disrupted the gathering.
Witnesses said the suspect appeared intoxicated and began provoking attendees by repeatedly honking his motorcycle horn. When people attempted to stop him, a verbal altercation ensued. The situation quickly escalated when Lai allegedly pulled out a butterfly knife and began swinging it at those nearby.
Three men sustained injuries during the attack. Two victims suffered more serious wounds and were transported to a hospital for emergency treatment, while a third individual sustained minor injuries and did not require hospitalization. All victims are reported to be in stable condition and out of life-threatening danger.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic and frightening. What had been a lively and peaceful celebration suddenly turned into panic, with attendees scrambling to avoid the attacker. Some bystanders attempted to intervene using wooden sticks to drive the suspect away.
Amid the confusion, the suspect abandoned his motorcycle and fled on foot toward a nearby mountainous area, leaving behind a bloodied scene and shaken festivalgoers.
Police responded swiftly after receiving reports of the incident, deploying rapid-response units to secure the area, collect evidence, and assist the injured. Authorities confirmed that they have identified the suspect and are actively tracking his whereabouts through surveillance footage and coordinated search operations.
Local police emphasized that they are treating the case with urgency and vowed to apprehend the suspect as soon as possible, reiterating a zero-tolerance stance against violent behavior in the community.