Taipei: Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an announced that the city will conduct a joint exercise with New Taipei following a response drill at Taipei Main Station that simulated an indiscriminate attack.

According to Focus Taiwan, the exercise began at 2 p.m. and involved multiple simulated assailants throwing smoke grenades on the platforms and attacking people before escaping to the station's underground shopping area. At 2:18 p.m., emergency alerts were sent to phones within a 1-kilometer radius, informing recipients in both Chinese and English that a "drill" was taking place, advising them to remain calm, seek cover, and avoid gathering.

Chiang commended the drill for being thorough and well-organized, expressing respect and gratitude to all participants and planners. The drill utilized resources from the city's railway, metro, underground malls, and various central, local, and private agencies.

This exercise was the second phase of response drills following a deadly incident in Taipei on Dec. 19 last year. It was larger and more complex than the previous drill held last month at MRT Taipei City Hall Station. The drills aim to ensure public vigilance during unexpected incidents, with Chiang reminding citizens to follow the "Escape, Hide, Report" principle.

Chiang also announced that the third phase of drills will take place with New Taipei before the Lunar New Year holiday in February, simulating attacks across transportation sites, though the exact date was not provided. The Taipei incident last year underscored the need for heightened public awareness of civil defense measures and strengthened joint safety drills.