Taipei, Taiwan (February 8)— A heavy police presence at Taipei MRT’s Zhongshan Station late last night drew public attention after a social media user reported seeing officers rushing into the station while pulling out batons, accompanied by nonstop sirens. Taipei City Police later clarified that the incident was triggered by a passenger carrying a fruit knife in plain view.
According to police, the suspect is a 31-year-old man surnamed Sung. While riding the MRT late at night, the handle of a fruit knife was visible from his chest pocket, alarming nearby passengers. Concerned commuters immediately notified MRT staff, who then reported the situation to police.
Officers responded swiftly, though police stressed that Sung did not take the knife out or threaten anyone while on the train. He was escorted off the MRT and taken to a police station for questioning. During a search, officers discovered that he was carrying a second fruit knife in another pocket.
Sung told police that he had earlier been with friends and used the knife to cut fruit. He claimed he placed the knife in his pocket afterward and boarded the MRT at Taipei 101 Station, intending to return home to Beitou. When the train reached Zhongshan Station, other passengers noticed the knife and called for help.
Despite the lack of threatening behavior, police said carrying potentially dangerous objects in public without a valid reason still violates the law. Sung was therefore penalized under Article 63 of the Social Order Maintenance Act, which prohibits carrying weapons or dangerous items without legitimate justification.
Police reminded the public that even everyday tools such as fruit knives can cause panic and pose safety risks when carried openly in public transportation. They urged passengers to properly store sharp objects and avoid bringing them onto public transit whenever possible to ensure public safety.