Two police officers and a firefighter were treated in hospital for acid burns this morning, after a suicidal man wanted on drugs charges threw acid on them.

At around 5:00am, police in Tainan City received a report that a man named Chen had locked himself into the third floor of a house in Rende District, and was threatening to commit suicide. Chen was hitting the walls of the house with a hammer, shouting, and disturbing neighbors.

Police broke into the room, intending to spray Chen with pepper spray. Instead, the officers along with a firefighter were sprayed by an acidic cleaning compound. The suspect then fled the scene.

A firefighter named Lin was the most severely injured with 3rd degree burns to his right shoulder and right arm. The police officers were burned on their arms and hands. None of the injuries were described as life-threatening.

Police are currently searching for Chen, 46, who was already known to police and has outstanding warrants for his arrest on drugs charges.

Chen’s distraught elderly mother went to the police station to apologize to police.

Related Video

Taiwan English News is an independent publication with no corporate funding. Subscribe to Taiwan English News to receive the latest news via email. Advertising queries are welcome. Share, like, comment below, and please, buy me a coffee. I really need it.