REPORTER:  

Two attackers lunge at passersby, swinging large knives. This is NOT a real emergency but a drill hosted by the Taipei city government and the Taipei metro. 

It comes a week after a mass stabbing left four people dead, including the attacker, 27-year-old Chang Wen. With just five days to go until the new year, when Taipei city hosts a huge celebration, authorities are working to boost rapid response.

Outside the Taipei city hall station, where the drill took place, paramedics practice helping injured people. Taipei mayor Chiang Wan-an is overseeing the drills, and says more are on the way.

Chiang Wan-an (MAYOR):  

Today’s high-intensity drill is just the first step. We’ll have the second drill in the third week of January. It will extend the attack scenario to Taipei Main Station. The third drill will be before the Lunar New Year. It will include cross-city and county exercises including collaboration between Taipei and New Taipei.

REPORTER:  

Don’t push! We're exiting the car! The city has been on edge since last week’s attack. On Christmas day, chaos erupted on one Taipei metro train. Riders scared and disoriented, pushing against each other as they tried to get to safety.

The panic began after a man in his forties reportedly had an emotional outburst after being bumped by other passengers. Police later said that there was no immediate danger.

The Datung precinct and metro police immediately deployed officers to the scene. One woman was injured while fleeing the scene. To prevent further commotion, officers moved people out of the station and confirmed it was not an attack.

REPORTER:  

That was not the only recent incident driving anxiety over public safety. At a memorial outside the shopping mall where the stabbing happened, mourners found a disturbing message written in English. It threatened more killings in the coming days.

Ms. Chou (RESIDENT):  

I saw this posted on the wall. It’s scary. I think this person is saying “I will kill more people.” Even with more police being deployed, still this kind of note appears. When did Taiwan become like this?

REPORTER:  

Though no other similar attacks have happened since last week’s stabbing, police say they’ve found over 70 threatening posts or messages online and arrested eight people thought to be behind them.

Authorities are urging people to stay vigilant and not to let their guard down as the new year approaches.

John Su, Alex Chen and Irene Lin for TaiwanPlus.