A building was destroyed after a lithium ion battery being repaired in the first floor electric bicycle business went up in flames. Because there were many flammable substances in the store, an intense fire quickly engulfed the business. Four men managed to make it to the roof from where they were rescued by firefighters, but two men died in the building.
Read moreMonth: July 2015
Man Dragged Under Taxi
A scooter rider in Taipei City is fortunate to have survived an accident after he was thrown off his bike and run over by a taxi. The man came to grief after a motorist who had just parked his car opened the driver’s side door without looking, an action that causes more than 3000 accidents in Taiwan every year. The scooter hit the door, causing the rider to fall into the traffic. A taxi following close behind ran over the man, who
Read moreEast Coast Highway Project Halted by Archeologists
Construction of the Suhua Highway Improvement project has been halted after a significant archaeological site was discovered. The site is believed to be a relatively intact 2, 000 year-old remnant of the Shihsanhang culture, containing intact dwellings and human remains. While officials have stated that completion of the highway project may be delayed for six months or more, researchers suggest that it may take many years for a proper excavation to be carried out. Alterations to the original path of the highway
Read moreMan Survives Bridge Fall
A drunk man fell approximately 2 stories into a rocky riverbed after losing his balance in Taichung City. After having a fight with his girlfriend, he got rotten drunk, and while crossing the bridge on foot decided to stop and rest. While sitting on the safety barrier, he lost his balance and fell into the dry river bed below. He suffered multiple fractures in the incident.
Read moreStudent Protesters and Reporters arrested after Occupying the Ministry of Education
Protests intensified last night over controversial changes to the national curriculum. High schoolers and other students were joined by other members of the community after the Ministry of Education defied a court decision that deemed the changes illegal and insisted on rolling out new textbooks that redefine the Japanese colonial period as the period of Japanese occupation, and re-introduces a Sinocentric version of history in Taiwan. Thirty-three people were arrested, including 3 reporters after they entered the MOE building late last night. The
Read moreScooter Meets Concrete Barrier
This scooter rider was going downhill on a mountain road in Taoyuan’s Daxi district when he overtook a car as they were approaching a bend in the road. He entered the corner too fast and hit the end of a concrete barrier. There is no information about what happened to the poor guy but if any info comes out I’ll make an update.
Read moreTorrential Rain Causes Flooding and Traffic Chaos in Taipei
Several areas in New Taipei City and the northern region of Taiwan experienced minor flooding and traffic chaos when a storm front dumped torrential rain during a relatively short period in the afternoon. Sanchong District was the worst-affected with 101 mm of rain, while Taoyuan’s Fuxing District was close behind with 99 mm recorded. Other areas affected were Banciao, Xinzhuang and Taipei City.
Read moreFatal Freeway Accident in Chiayi
Two people were killed including a 14 year old girl when truck loaded with livestock feed ploughed into an SUV at full speed. The SUV was reversing after having missed an exit. After hitting the car, the truck overturned, killing the driver. Three other people are seriously injured.
Read moreCar Crushed by Train
A car was crushed by a train when it was struck at a level crossing, then jammed between the train and a building. Fortunately no one was injured in the incident. The driver failed to notice the flashing lights, crossing bell, or the oncoming train as he negotiated the crossing. The driver of the train, which was carrying over 100 passengers applied the emergency brake but couldn’t stop in time to avoid the collision. Fortunately, as the train was approaching
Read moreOne Man Against the World
Most of my stories are pulled from Taiwan’s Chinese-language media, however, this is one I eye-witnessed, on my way to buy breakfast this morning. In our quiet, and peaceful neighborhood of Shulin I turned a corner and and unexpectedly came across a small crowd of officials, curious citizens, and police. An old, single-storey house was festooned with two American flags, one at ground level and one on the roof, and adorned with roughly spray-painted Chinese characters. My Chinese literacy is far
Read moreBig Amphetamine bust at Kaohsiung Harbour
A huge haul of amphetamine was found in a in a refrigerated container at a wharf in Kaohsiung yesterday. 138 kilograms of the drug was concealed in the bellies of frozen tuna headed for Japan. The haul is estimated to be worth about 1.4 billion Japanese yen. Three men have been arrested in connection with the haul. Video below: Related Video
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