Pokémon GO players brave Typhoon Bawei for in-game event at Taipei Main Station

The approaching Typhoon Bawei did not deter a large number of dedicated players from flocking to Taipei Main Station on Saturday morning. The station's main hall was packed with individuals engrossed in their mobile phones, all participating in the "Pokémon GO Fest 2026 Global Event."

Players gathered specifically for the Saturday group raid to catch the coveted legendary Pokémon, Mewtwo. Videos circulating on social media platforms like Threads showed the station's concourse filled with people sitting on the floor, eyes glued to their screens. One user humorously captioned a video, "Big announcement! As of 10 a.m. on July 11, Taipei Main Station is packed. If your boyfriend is suddenly not home today, there's a high chance he's here catching Mewtwo."

Online reactions ranged from amusement to understanding. Some commenters noted the irony of the station being crowded despite train services being suspended due to the typhoon. Others jokingly suggested that playing Pokémon GO on a stormy day was safer than going to work. The event highlighted the strong community and dedication among Pokémon GO enthusiasts, who were willing to brave adverse weather conditions for a chance to capture rare in-game creatures.