Large Search at Qidu Station for Missing Person; Passengers Mistakenly Thought Police Hunted Fugitive

A large-scale police search at Qidu Station caused confusion among passengers, who initially mistook the operation for the apprehension of a fugitive. The search was initiated after a report of a missing 27-year-old woman with mental health issues who was believed to be on a southbound train.

The railway police deployed significant resources to search the train and platforms. The operation led to a six-minute delay in the train's departure. During the search, which did not immediately locate the woman, some passengers observed the police's urgent demeanor and speculated about the situation on social media, creating a minor disturbance for the authorities.

Fortunately, the search was successful. Police later found the woman at Taipei's Songshan Station. She was provided with temporary care at the station before her family was contacted to pick her up safely, concluding the tense situation.

The incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement when dealing with individuals experiencing mental health crises and the potential for public misunderstanding during such operations.