Contractor Severely Burned After Falling Into Fuel Tank Fire at Taitung Air Base

On the afternoon of the 11th, an oil tank fire broke out at the Taitung Zhihang Air Base. Workers were in the process of handling residual fuel when the tank suddenly caught fire, illuminating the entire operational area with flames. A contractor surnamed Chang accidentally fell into the approximately 12-meter-deep oil tank during the operation and showed no signs of life at the scene.

The Zhihang Air Base is a key facility for military aviation training and maintenance, with dozens of technicians and outsourced workers entering the premises in rotation daily. Fuel tank operations are classified as high-risk tasks that require strict adherence to safety regulations and fire prevention measures. In recent years, accidents related to military fuel handling have been reported repeatedly, prompting reminders for regulatory authorities to step up supervision.

According to the fire department's report, unemptied fuel sludge remained inside the oil tank, and there was a lack of adequate fire barriers, causing the fire to spread rapidly. The accident investigation will focus on the oil tank maintenance records, the operational status of fire-fighting equipment, and the contractor's safety training records.

Following the incident, the base fire brigade immediately carried out firefighting and rescue operations. The contractor surnamed Chang was transported to Taitung Hospital, where emergency medical treatment restored his spontaneous circulation. However, he sustained burns over approximately 90 percent of his body, and doctors stated that his vital signs remain in critical condition.

This incident is expected to trigger a military safety review and lead to the pursuit of safety accountability for the outsourced contractor. Under the National Security Act and the Occupational Safety and Health Act, any contractor performing hazardous operations within military facilities must obtain the corresponding safety permits and undergo regular inspections.

For the Taitung community, the Zhihang Air Base is not only a military training ground but also a vital source of local employment. Accidents of this nature not only threaten the safety of workers but may also raise public concerns regarding environmental safety surrounding military facilities. The government and the military must review fuel handling procedures and strengthen accident response training to ensure that similar tragedies do not happen again.

(Source: Central News Agency)