This is the terrifying moment passengers flee in panic as a deadly attack on the Taiwan metro leaves three dead.

Police identified the suspect as Taiwanese national Chang Wen, 27, who caused chaos in Taipei on Friday by setting off smoke bombs at the main metro station.

He then ran to a nearby station in a busy shopping district, attacking people with a knife during rush hour.

Footage shows frightened travellers fleeing as the suspect hurled smoke bombs across the area.

A bystander reportedly tried to intervene but was struck with a blunt object and later died in the hospital.

After returning to his hotel to collect a weapon, the attacker went back outside Zhongshan Station, where he set off additional smoke bombs and stabbed more people.

Nine others were injured during the spree.

The assailant then entered a nearby bookshop and a department store before falling from a building after being surrounded by police. He died shortly afterwards in hospital.

Authorities confirmed that Chang had a criminal record, but his motive remains unclear. An investigation is ongoing.