At least 24 people have been injured, after an explosion inside a train carriage, at the Songshan railway station in central Taipei, the capital of Taiwan.
Focus Taiwan TV reported that just before 10pm local time there was a loud bang in the sixth carriage of a crowded commuter train, which then quickly became engulfed in flames. The Straits Times and several other local media said there had been three explosions.
At least 10 ambulances and as many fire engines were dispatched to the station. One person had reportedly sustained burns over 30 percent of his body.
A local newspaper has reported that eyewitnesses saw a man in his 40s walk inside the carriage, put down a 15-20cm tube-like object and quickly exit the train. National Police Agency Director General Chen Kuo-en has confirmed that the explosion was likely caused by a “firecracker-like device.” The police official has refused to call the incident a terrorist attack. Local media have reported that a manhunt for the suspect is in progress.
A special multi-branch investigation unit has been put together to establish the sequence of events.