14 workers injured, 3 critically, after carbon dioxide leak at wind power project in central Taiwan

Fourteen workers were sent to hospital, including three who lost vital signs at the scene of the accident, at a wind power project in Changhua County this morning, Tuesday, August 20.

Changhua County Fire Department dispatched two fire trucks, seven ambulances, and 18 personnel, after receiving reports of multiple injuries due to a suspected carbon dioxide leak at the Hailong Offshore Wind Power Land Step-down Station in Lukang Township at around 10:00 am.

A total of 14 workers, all of Taiwanese nationality, were affected by the leak. Five people were unconscious, and three had lost vital signs. The three OHCA patients were resuscitated but remain in critical condition.

A fire department spokesperson said that the leak is believed to have occurred when workers were installing firefighting equipment. The detailed cause of the accident is still under investigation.

TECO Electric, which is responsible for the turnkey project, issued a statement stating that a fire-fighting gas leakage accident occurred at the Changhua site of the Hailong offshore wind power project today. It is suspected that a fire-fighting CO2 gas cylinder leaked at the construction site, causing injuries or discomfort to workers. The on-site supervisor reported the case as soon as possible and the workers were sent to the hospital for emergency medical treatment. TECO Electric immediately counted the people on site after the accident and evacuated them all to safety.

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