At least 48 people are dead, and more than 70 injured after an express train derailed in a tunnel on Taiwan’s east coat near Hualien City this morning, April 2. The number 408 Ziqiang express train from Shulin to Taitung City derailed as it was entering the Qingshui Tunnel between Chongde and Heren stations at 9:28 am. More than 350 people were aboard the 8-carriage train, which was fully booked as today is the first day of 4-day holiday for
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Salvage operation for crashed F-16 suspended until April-May 2021
Air Force Command announced today that salvage operations for an F-16 that crashed off the coast of Hualien County will be suspended until April and May next year, due to poor weather and ocean conditions. The aircraft, carrying one pilot, went down around 13 kilometers northeast of Hualien City on November 17. See previous story: F-16 missing, suspected crashed off east coast of Taiwan The statement said that the location of the downed aircraft had been effectively calibrated after 56
Read moreCobra recorded eating rice in Hualien City
A Taiwan cobra (Naja atra) was spotted eating rice in Hualien City recently, and a video of the incident was uploaded to social media. According to reports in Liberty Times and SETN, the video was recorded on July 18 at Meilunshan Park. A Liberty Times reporter interviewed Ms Fan, who is credited with recording the video. Fan told the reporter that she had left a plate of rice out to feed stray dogs in the park. At 11:00 am in
Read moreSix megamouth sharks caught in four days: conservation groups call for catch ban
Fishermen operating off the coast of Hualien County on Taiwan’s east coast caught six megamouth sharks between June 15 – 18, raising the concerns of environmental groups, who are calling for protection of the mysterious species. Global Knowledge The megamouth shark ( Megachasma pelagios ) was first discovered by scientists in 1976, and named in 1983. According to scientific papers, including this one, only around 100 specimens have been observed or caught as of 2018. When the megamouth sharks are
Read moreThree workers injured after explosion at biogas facility
Three workers were injured after an explosion at a biogas recovery facility in Hualien County this morning, Labor Day, May 1. Hualien County Fire Department received reports of a massive explosion in Yuli Township at around 9:45 am. Three workers were found to have suffered multiple fractures and other injuries at the site of the explosion. One worker had a fractured spine and femur and was transferred to Taipei City for treatment after being stabilized at a local hospital. Another
Read moreElderly Japanese man found to have overstayed his tourist visa for 36 years
An elderly man will be assisted back to Japan after Hualien County police found that he had overstayed his tourist visa by 36 years. Mr Hori, 82, arrived in Taiwan on a tourist visa in 1983, according to National Immigration Agency records. Mr Hori told police that after his arrival, he had become involved in a mining venture in Hualian County’s Yuli Township. Hori worked as an engineer maintaining drilling machinery and explosives. However, when the venture failed, Hori had
Read moreMagnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes Taiwan
Breaking news: updates expected. A 6.1 magnitude shallow earthquake centered in Hualien County shook the whole island of Taiwan in the early afternoon, injuring two, and causing minor damage to some roads and buildings today, April 18. Two people were injured, including a Malaysian tourist, when rocks tumbled onto a hiking trail in Hualien County’s Taroko Gorge. Train services stopped on the east coast railway line, Taipei Metro, and the High Speed Rail, according to standard operating procedures as track inspections are
Read moreParaglider to be fined NT$300 after landing on Highway
Two paragliders survived unscathed after landing on the Suhua Highway in Hualien County today, and police said that the paragliding operator may be liable to a fine of NT$300 (US$9.74). At around noon today, the paraglider came down and missed the landing area situated just 30 meters from the road in Xincheng Township. Motorists on the 4 lane section of highway were fortunately stopped at a red light at the time. The landing was caught on at least one vehicle’s
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