2 dead, 3 injured after scaffolding collapse at construction site in southern Taiwan

Two people died and three were injured after scaffolding collapsed at a construction site in Yunlin County this afternoon, Saturday, July 6. According to reports, the scaffolding collapse occurred at the Formosa Advanced Technology Company (FATA/Fumao Technology TW:8131) in Henan Street, Doulio City at 4:12 pm. Yunlin County Fire Department dispatched six fire trucks, six ambulances, and 31 personnel to the scene of the accident. Firefighters found 15 people trapped under the collapsed scaffolding. A 40-year-old man was dead, having

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Taiwan’s fertility rate second lowest in the world: abortions are double the number of live births, advocacy group claims

Taiwan has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world, and one of the highest rates for abortion, it was revealed at a press conference by pro-life pregnancy support and advocacy group Pro Femina, Friday, July 5. Pro Femina urged the government to address Taiwan’s high abortion rate. Government agencies have often weighed in on the problem of low fertility rates, which have at times been flagged as a national security issue. In a recent report, the National Development

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Boulder severs tracks on Taiwan’s east coast line: frequent landslides affect road and rail links since April 3 earthquake

Taiwan Railways reopened two-way traffic July 3, following a landslide that blocked road and rail links between Yilan and Hualien July 1, but traffic is reduced to a single line again today after a massive boulder fell onto tracks in the landslide-affected area. Railway personnel reported that a huge boulder fell onto the railroad, severing train tracks between Heren and Chongde train stations at 6:21 am today, July 4. Passengers travelling on the line were told to expect 15-20 minute

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Tourists evacuate roller coaster after power malfunction at Taiwan amusement park

A group of tourists were forced to make an emergency exit via a narrow plankway and stairway after a power malfunction caused a roller coaster to stop at an amusement park in southern Taiwan, yesterday, June 28. According to a press release, 16 park visitors were stuck 30 meters in the air when a power malfunction occurred on the “G5 Diving Machine” roller coaster at the Janfusun Fancy World Theme Park in Yunlin County at around 1:00 pm, Friday. Amusement

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Marijuana grow op busted: 780 plants in three locations in central Taiwan

Taiwan criminal investigators busted a marijuana grow op, confiscating 780 plants and 65 kilograms of dried cannabis at three locations in central Taiwan, in what is described as a sophisticated operation producing A-grade quality marijuana. According to a press release, the Telecommunications Investigation Team of the Criminal Investigation Bureau began an investigation after a tip-off at the end of last year. Police tracked the movement and activities of a 34-year-old man named Tsai and three accomplices. On May 21, police

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Indian-American student drowns while swimming at beach in southern Taiwan

An Indian-American man studying at Taiwan’s Tsinghua University was declared dead at the hospital after a drowning incident at a popular tourist beach in southern Taiwan’s Pingtung County, yesterday, June 24. Pingtung County Fire Department said they received a report that two people had been swept away by a rip current near Sail Rock in Kenting National Park in Hengchun Township at around 1:10 pm. When firefighters and paramedics arrived at the scene, two people had already been plucked out

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13 passengers sent to hospital after Boeing 737 depressurization incident on Korea-Taiwan flight

Fifteen passengers reported eardrum pain and other symptoms, and 13 were sent to hospital, after a Korean Air flight bound for Taichung City, Taiwan, experienced a sudden cabin depressurization incident yesterday, June 22. According to Yonhap News Agency, Korean Air Flight KE-189 departed Incheon Airport at 4:45pm with 130 passengers and crew aboard. However, around 50 minutes into the flight a “pressure system abnormality” occurred. The aircraft was turned around and landed back at Incheon Airport at 7:38pm. Taiwanese passengers

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Train derails after landslide on Taiwan’s east coast: passengers evacuate in tunnel

The driver of an intercity express train and six passengers suffered minor injuries after a train derailed following a landslide at the entrance of a tunnel on Taiwan’s east coast line late this afternoon, Friday, June 21. According to reports, the Ziqiang Express EMU 3,000 express train, service number #229, was hit by rocks as it passed through the Heren Tunnel between Heren and Chongde Stations in Hualien County’s Xiulin Township at 4:50 pm. Pictures and video uploaded to social

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Taiwan archery teams qualify for Paris Olympics

Lyon Chiang: Taipei Taiwan’s archery teams have achieved a significant milestone by securing full team quotas for the upcoming Paris Olympics at the final qualification tournament in Antalya, Turkey. The women’s team, consisting of Lei Chien-ying (雷千瑩), Chiu Yi-ching (邱意晴), and Lee Chia-yi (李佳綺), successfully earned their three Olympic spots early in the competition and now aim to reach the podium in Paris. The men’s team, led by Tang Chih-chun (湯智鈞) and featuring Dai Yu-hsuan (戴宇軒) and Lin Tzu-hsiang (林子翔),

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Navy sailor jumps ship off northern Taiwan, swims to shore

Military police are questioning a Taiwanese navy sailor after he jumped off his ship as it left the Port of Keelung last night, and swam to shore. Keelung Port police received a report from a security guard at Taiwan Ship Building Company on Heping Island at around 1:30 am this morning, June 17, saying that an unidentified man was seeking help after landing on shore wearing a life jacket. Police and ambulance personnel took the man to hospital for a

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Taiwan railway employee YouTuber accused of poor service attitude

Taiwan Railways Corporation has issued two warnings to a deputy station master after he was accused of “poor service attitude” towards customers, including posting videos of railway passengers breaching regulations, and responding to online criticism by pointing a BB gun at the camera. The Deputy Station Master of Chaozhou Train Station in Pingtung County, named Chiu, first came to public attention when he began uploading videos of passengers breaching regulations on his personal YouTube channel. Members of the public who

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