TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei City Government (台北市政府) staged an elaborate anti-terrorism and emergency response drill Tuesday (April 22) near the recently completed Taipei Dome (大巨蛋), the city's largest indoor arena. The exercise simulated high-stakes scenarios including a terrorist hijacking of an athlete transport shuttle and explosive devices planted at the stadium, preparations deemed critical ahead of the World Masters Games (雙北世界壯年運動會), a major international sporting event scheduled from May 17-30.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安), overseeing the exercise alongside senior city officials, watched as specialized units deployed bomb-sniffing canines and tactical armored vehicles during the multi-agency operation. Representatives from the Taipei City Police Department (台北市政府警察局) detailed how counter-terrorism teams successfully intercepted a mock hijacked shuttle bus and rescued hostages during a simulated opening ceremony disruption scenario.
The comprehensive exercise escalated to include a simulated bombing at the Taipei Dome, with specialized units from both the Taipei City Police Department and neighboring New Taipei City Police Department's K-9 Unit (新北市警察局警犬隊) demonstrating explosive detection and disposal protocols. Multiple city agencies participated in the coordinated response, with the Fire Department (消防局), Department of Health (衛生局), and Department of Social Welfare (社會局) executing mass casualty management, medical triage, and complex evacuation procedures designed to test the city's emergency response capabilities.
The exercise showcased specialized emergency equipment including a 30-kilogram EOD10 bomb disposal suit, advanced ICM-type explosive detection X-ray systems, and autonomous firefighting robots. Mayor Chiang emphasized the drill's importance given the upcoming World Masters Games' scale, which will bring more than 25,000 international athletes and an estimated 48,000 spectators to the city. The mayor thanked participating personnel while underscoring the necessity for meticulous security planning ahead of such a significant international sporting event. ★
