Suspected explosives found on Taiwan train: police

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More than 600 passengers were evacuated from a high-speed train bound for Taiwan's capital Taipei Friday after suspected explosives and triggering devices were found on board, police said.

"We think they are explosives as they contain liquid that smells like gasoline and some triggering devices, but further testing is required to identify the substance," a police spokesman told AFP.

Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp. said it alerted police after two unattended suitcases with a "strong odour" were spotted in a bathroom in train 616 bound for the capital.

It evacuated the passengers when the train arrived at Taoyuan station near Taipei, and police removed the bags for investigation.

In another development, a bomb squad and emergency services were called in when two suitcases apparently containing gasoline were found in lawmaker Lu Chia-chen's office in New Taipei city, his assistant told reporters.

Police were not immediately available for comment on whether the two cases were linked.

The train passengers were later put on another train to continue their journeys.

Officers searched the train for evidence and the platform for Taipei-bound trains was temporarily closed during the removal of the suitcases, the company said.

It said it had not received any threats prior to the incident and added that it was the first time an evacuation was carried out over unidentified objects found on one of its trains.

The Taipei-based news radio BCC quoted sources saying police were screening passenger lists and surveillance camera footage for possible suspects.