Compiled by ALLISON LAI
LINGERING fear from a recent random attack on the Taipei Metro resurfaced on Christmas Eve when a disturbance aboard a train triggered widespread panic, injuring an elderly passenger.
The incident occurred at 8.35pm on a packed train travelling from Beimen station towards Xiangshan on the Tamsui-Xinyi line.
A man in his 40s suddenly began shouting and banging the train’s windows and walls with an umbrella, prompting passengers to believe another attack was unfolding, China Press reported.
With the commotion mistaken for another attack, passengers rushed to escape, triggering pushing and shoving.
Those in other carriages also followed the rush, despite being unaware of what was happening.
A woman in her 70s fell during the scramble and was taken to the hospital.
Police said the man was unarmed and had not directly harmed anyone.
Medical staff later assessed that he may have suffered an acute panic attack and lost emotional control.
The episode highlighted a growing fear on public transport.
Observers noted that sudden noise or erratic behaviour now prompts instant flight responses, sometimes causing secondary injuries.
> Kwong Wah Yit Poh reported that a portable charger caught fire on a Guangzhou Metro train in China, setting the owner’s trousers alight.
The incident occurred during the evening rush when a power bank carried by the male passenger reportedly self-ignited.
The train was halted and the affected carriage was evacuated as a precaution.
The man sustained burns and was taken to the hospital for treatment.
Authorities said the fire was quickly contained, but the episode underscored the risks posed by poorly regulated or damaged charging devices.
(The above articles are compiled from the vernacular newspapers (Bahasa Malaysia, Chinese and Tamil dailies). As such, stories are grouped according to the respective language/medium. Where a paragraph begins with a >, it denotes a separate news item.)
