The Taipei Metro is to hold security drills at Taipei City Hall MRT Station and Taipei City Hall Bus Station starting at 1pm today, Taipei Rapid Transit Corp (TRTC) said.
The Taipei City Government is to also send out an automated text message to the public in English and Chinese to evacuate or shelter-in-place.
The message would specify that it is a drill, not a real emergency, it said, advising the public not to panic or take any action.
Photo: Taipei Times
The drills are to replicate Molotov cocktails, an indiscriminate attack and mass casualties in the Taipei metro system, it said.
They are intended to improve safety protocols and emergency response capability after a stabbing incident at Taipei Main Station and near Zhongshan MRT Station earlier this month, it said.
On Dec. 19, a man threw smoke bombs and attacked passersby with a knife, killing three and injuring at least 11 before jumping to his death from the sixth floor of a department store.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said the incident highlighted the importance of heightening public awareness and resilience against attacks.
He also called for today’s drills to improve the effectiveness of first responders and relief teams.
Today’s drills are to be held in three stages, the TRTC said.
First, drills involving Molotov cocktails are to be held at 1pm on the platform of Taipei City Hall MRT Station, it said.
Next, responders would simulate an indiscriminate attack in front of the ticket counter at Taipei City Hall Bus Station, it said.
Finally, an emergency response drill for mass casualties is to be conducted on the sidewalk outside Exit 2 of Taipei City Hall MRT Station, it said.
Further drills are to be held next month at Taipei Main Station, simulating attacks by multiple perpetrators and integrating all four rail systems, it said.
Before the Lunar New Year, the Taipei Metro would also hold joint drills with the New Taipei City Metro to simulate an attack by multiple suspects across multiple stations and municipalities, expanding drills to the greater Taipei area, it added.
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