Body of Missing Ecologist Found

July 28, 2016January 6, 2017 Phillip Charlier 2 Comments Penjia Island, Wang Wulang, 王武郎

The body of missing ecologist Wang Wulang was found yesterday in long grass about 320 meters from the lighthouse on Pengjia Islet. He had been reported missing the previous weekend after failing to return from the island by ferry to Keelung. The prominent ecology lecturer had a passion for coastal environments, and had once spent 67 days walking Taiwan’s 1,500 kilometer coastline. He lectured for the Wilderness Protection Society and National Museum of Marine Science and Technology. 2-meter tall grass

Violent Crimes

July 22, 2016July 22, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment attempted murder, domestic violence, machete attack

A woman lost a finger and narrowly escaped with her life when her ex-husband attacked her with a brush-hook in Ilan County this afternoon, Friday, July 22. The man, 48, entered his ex-wife’s, restaurant and attacked the 42 year-old woman with a long-handled, 60 centimeter blade brush hook, severing her finger as she fended off the blow. The woman ran out to the street screaming for help. Video footage of the incident shows the woman running through a crowded shopping

Traffic Accidents

July 19, 2016July 19, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment coach fire

Last Update 14:50 A tour coach crashed into the guardrail after catching fire and going out of control on National Highway 2 near the airport interchange at around midday. Twenty-six people including 24 passengers, the driver, and a tour-guide were incinerated in the blaze. Because of the intensity of the fire, it took firefighters 30 minutes to extinguish the flames. The coach was carrying a tour group from Laoning Province, China. They were heading to Taipei Taoyuan International Airport to

the aftermath of an explosion on a train in Taipei July 7 2016

Disaster

July 18, 2016July 18, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment Songshan train explosion\, TRA bomb

A man who detonated a bomb on a commuter train in Taipei July 7 has been able to talk to police after being taken out of critical care. Lin Ying-chang, 55, told police he made the bomb using principles he had learned playing with matches as a child. He said he bought firecrackers and used scissors to cut them open to remove the gunpowder. He made the detonation device using the scratch-pad of a matchbox and a match head, which

Peregudovs Andrejs arrested in Ilan County Taiwan

Crime and Criminals

July 17, 2016July 18, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment ATM hack, First National Bank

Three men were arrested today after a week-long manhunt for a group responsible for the theft of more than 80 million New Taiwan Dollars over the weekend of July 9-10. Latvian national, Peregudovs Andrejs, 41, was arrested in Dong-ao after being recognized by an off-duty police officer holidaying in Ilan County on Taiwan’s east coast. Another two suspects who had been under surveillance in Taipei City were arrested soon afterwards. The two Romanian men had accessed a locker rented by

Current members of Queen Brian May, Roger Taylor, and Adam Lambert

Entertainment

July 14, 2016July 14, 2016 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Nangang Exhibition Hall, Queen, taipei concert

British rock band Queen will perform at Taipei Nangang Exhibition Hall on September 19 as part of an Asian tour that will also include performances in Tokyo, Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong, and Bangkok. The announcement was made on the band’s website and Facebook page Wednesday July 13. The band formed 46 years ago in 1970, and today retains two of the four original members – Brian May and Roger Taylor, and includes vocalist Adam Lambert, Rufus Tiger Taylor(son of Roger

Crime and Criminals

July 13, 2016July 13, 2016 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment ATM hack, First National Bank

Police have named a third suspect after a two-day bank heist that saw 34 ATM machines hacked and more than NTD$80 million dollars (around USD$2.5 million) stolen. The third suspect is believed to have remained in Taiwan. The estimated haul was revised upwards from yesterday’s reported NTD$70 million. A Latvian man surnamed Andrenjs is alleged to have stayed at the 5-star Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taipei’s Xinyi District along with the two Russian suspects who departed the country early Monday

Crime and Criminals

July 12, 2016July 12, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment ATM hack, First National Bank, Wincor Nixdorf

Two Russian nationals spent two days in Taiwan stealing money from automatic teller machines belonging to First National Bank. They fled the country after stealing a total of $NT 70 million (about US$2.2 million). Their lucrative tour came to an end after they were seen by a member of the public while robbing an ATM at Guting in Taipei City. The men hurriedly left, while the machine continued to spew out NT$60 000 in bank notes. The person who witnessed

A man suspected as responsible for an explosion on a train is seen shortly after the blast

Disaster

July 8, 2016July 8, 2016 Phillip Charlier 1 Comment Songshan train explosion\

A suspect has been identified after DNA analysis of materials believed to have been used to make an explosive device were matched with one of the injured passengers currently hospitalized after a blast on a commuter train in Taipei City. Eyewitness reports and fingerprints found on the device also point to the suspect, 55 year-old Lin Ying-chang. Mr Lin appears to have been holding what has been described as a pipe-bomb when it exploded in car six. Twenty-five people, including

Debris litters a street after a typhoon in Taitung City

Weather

July 8, 2016July 8, 2016 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Taitung, typhoon nepartak

Taitung (Taidong) County, Taiwan, was the touchdown point for Typhoon Nepartak in the early hours of this morning, July 8, 2016. Taiwan awoke to scenes of destruction as the strongest typhoon to hit the island since 1955 made landfall slightly to the south of Taitung City. Cars and trucks were flipped over, and streets were blocked by collapsed awnings, signs and debris. Roofs were torn off buildings and windows imploded, leaving homes, convenience stores, and other businesses exposed to the

a man receiving first aid at Songshan Train Station

Disaster

July 7, 2016July 8, 2016 Phillip Charlier 0 Comment Songshan train fire

An explosion on a train on a train traveling between Taipei Main Station and Songshan Station has left 24 people injured, one in a critical condition. Passengers reported hearing an explosion at 9.52PM. Car six of the northbound train traveling from Hsinchu to Keelung pulled into Songshan Station on fire. At the present time, 24 people have been reported injured, with 21 hospitalized. The cause of the explosion and fire is being investigated. Early reports pointed to a possible malfunction

Body of Missing Ecologist Found

Citizens Take Down Machete-Wielding Madman

Tour Coach Catches Fire: 26 Dead

Train Bomber Speaks: Underestimated Power of Bomb

Three Arrested in ATM Hack Case: Money Recovered

Queen to Rock Taipei September 19

Third Suspect Identified in ATM Heist: 80 Million Taiwan Dollars Stolen

ATMs Hacked: Russian Criminals Steal NT$70 Million

Train Bomb Suspect Identified

Typhoon Nepartak Wreaks Havoc in Taitung

Breaking News: Explosion on Taipei Train: 24 People Injured