Screams were heard as crowds of people rushed on and off Taipei’s subway train this Wednesday. The reasoning behind the scare was not what people had in mind.
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Passengers taking Taipei Mass Rapid Transit’s (MRT) Green Line were startled to see a rat scurrying about between train cars this Wednesday.
Station attendants were initially unable to capture the elusive rat. Passengers could be seen exiting the train, and could be heard screaming as the rat made its way to other cars. Some unknowing passengers heard the screams and thought there was an attacker onboard.
One woman says she believes the rat came in from outside of the station, as rats and cockroaches make relatively common appearances in Taipei. Metro Taipei Public Relations Director Ling Chi-yao (凌啟堯) supported this theory, pointing out that eating and drinking is prohibited within MRT stations, creating an environment that is not conducive to rats’ survival.
The wily rat was eventually captured by a security guard equipped with a net. Metro Taipei says the train has been scheduled for disinfection, and more thorough monitoring will take place to ensure passengers don’t get too rat-tled.