Disaster

Human remains found in tunnel 3 years after train disaster

remains and belongings of victims found in railway tunnel
Disaster 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , , ,

Grieving family members of the victims of one of Taiwan’s worst train disasters had old wounds reopened for the second time after human remains and belongings were found in a railway tunnel in Hualien County recently. The advocacy group “Tears of Taroko,” formed by family members of victims of the April 2, 2021, Hualien Train Derailment, issued a press release this morning, May 8, informing the public that a search of the Qingshui Tunnel had uncovered the remains of 11

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Taiwan’s east coast rocked by 95 earthquakes overnight: largest magnitude 6.3

Fukai Hotel tilting dangerously after earthquake
Earthquakes 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Work and classes are suspended in Hualien County today after 95 earthquakes occurred between midnight and 7:30 a.m., keeping many residents awake all night, and leaving two buildings tilting dangerously. According to the Central Weather Administration, more than 1,000 aftershocks have occurred since a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the area on April 3. Of the 95 earthquakes that occurred this morning, two earthquakes of 6.0 magnitude or greater occurred just five minutes apart at around 2:30 a.m. The Fukai Hotel

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Express train derailed by fallen rock as earthquake aftershocks continue to rattle Taiwan’s east coast

damaged derailed Puyuma express train
Earthquakes 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

An express train bound for Taipei City derailed after hitting a boulder that fell onto the tracks in last night, but fortunately nobody was injured in the accident. According to reports, the Puyuma express train #445 from Taitung to New Taipei City hit a boulder and derailed near Heping Train Station in Xiulin Township in Hualien County at 9:10 pm. The accident caused traffic in both directions of the railway to be stopped. None of the 146 passengers or staff

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Big earthquake on Taiwan’s east coast felt across island: reports of damage and casualties

partially collapsed building in Hualien City
Earthquakes 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

Story still being revised and updated: 12:58 pm. Four people have died, and 98 are injured. Many people heading to work and school around Taiwan this morning had their morning commute interrupted when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the east coast, causing shockwaves that shut down train and metro services in the capital Taipei and other cities. According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the earthquake struck at 7:58 am, at a depth of 15.5 kilometers, 25 kilometers south-southeast of Hualien

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Tech factory fire causes stench over large areas of Taipei

firefighters battle fire
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Residents of Taipei City and New Taipei City were affected by air pollution from a factory fire in Shenkeng District overnight and this morning, leading to the mayors of the twin cities to advise residents to stay indoors and wear masks when going out. According to the New Taipei City Fire Department, a fire broke out at the warehouse of a tech company on Beishen Road in Shenkeng District at around 2:00 pm yesterday, February 20. The fire department dispatched

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4 migrant workers injured after fight leads to dormitory fire in southern Taiwan

migrant workers trapped on roof await rescue by firefighting ladder
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

Four migrant workers were injured, two critically, and several were rescued after being trapped on the roof of a building, following a fire that was ignited when one of the men used a blowtorch as a weapon during an altercation at around midnight yesterday. The Changhua County Fire Department dispatched 14 fire trucks, five ambulances, and 46 personnel, after receiving reports of a fire at a textile company dormitory building in Hemei Township at 12:09 am, Thursday. A total of

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Four firefighters dead, more than 100 people injured after explosions and fire in southern Taiwan industrial park

factory on fire in Pingtung County, Taiwan
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

More than 100 people have been reported injured, and four firefighters are confirmed to have died, after a fire and multiple explosions at a factory in southern Taiwan, Friday, September 22. At around 5:30 pm, residents up to 10 kilometers away from the Pingtung Technology Industrial Park reported hearing a large explosion. Residents close to the site of the explosion felt the earth shake, and said that a strong chemical stench immediately followed the blast. Pingtung County Fire Department received

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Victims’ remains found on train 2 years after disastrous train derailment

Railway engineers inspect Taroko Express train memorial
Disaster 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

Pieces of human skull, bloodied clothing, and personal belongings of victims were found in the wrecked carriage of a train that stands as a memorial to one of Taiwan’s worst train accidents in a railway park in northern Taiwan today, September 1. Police investigators and Taiwan Railway Administration staff made the findings during a carpet search of of the train car after a piece of skull was found by a representative of the victims’ families during a visit to the

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Taichung City recycling plant fire causes pollution, takes 19 hours to extinguish

smoke from fire seen from a distance
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , ,

A fire at a recycling plant in Taichung City created a plume of thick, black smoke that could be seen up to 40 kilometers away yesterday, and was finally extinguished by firefighters this morning after a 19-hour-long battle. The Taichung City Fire Bureau received reports of a fire at a recycling plant on Wunan Road, Wuqi District at around 2:40 pm yesterday. Nineteen firetrucks and 39 firefighters were immediately dispatched to battle the blaze. Piles of plastic pellets and other

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Major global acrylics supplier ablaze in southern Taiwan

thick smoke is seen billowing from factory on fire
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ,

A major global supplier of acrylic sheeting caught fire early this morning, and firefighters are still trying to bring the blaze under control at noon. According to reports, the Sumipex Techsheet Company factory in Nanzih Science and Technology Industrial Park caught fire after a suspected boiler explosion at around 7:38 am. The Kaohsiung City Fire Department dispatched 55 vehicles and 130 personnel to fight the fire. Thick smoke from the fire could be seen many kilometers away, and the Kaohsiung

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Explosion, fires in multiple residences caused by over-pressurization of gas lines: at least 2 injured

multiple apartments on fire in residential building. Firefighter ladder truck
Fire 
Phillip Charlier 0 Comment , , ,

An explosion followed by fires affecting multiple residences in an apartment complex in Hsinchu County this morning left at least two people injured, and was caused by over-pressurized gas lines, the local gas company said. Hsinchu County Fire Department received reports of an explosion, and reports of gas leaks and fires at multiple locations around Sanmin Road, Zhongzheng East Road, and Boai Street, in Zhubei City at around 8:00 am. HCFD said that it had recorded 15 cases of gas

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