Father and son swept into sea by huge waves at Bisha Fishing Harbor

At Bisha Fishing Port, a renowned tourism and recreational resort in Keelung City, a heartbreaking missing-at-sea incident occurred as Typhoon Peipah gradually moved away from Taiwan. A father, surnamed Li, took his son to the breakwater near the red lighthouse within the port area for sea fishing. Unexpectedly, the waves did not completely subside despite the departure of the typhoon. A powerful and sudden wave instantly struck the breakwater, sweeping the elder Li into the sea, where he remains missing. His son, unable to react in time to protect him, was injured in the impact, suffering broken teeth, and was subsequently rushed to the hospital for emergency treatment. This sudden maritime safety accident has once again pushed coastal safety management and public awareness to the forefront of public discussion.

At the time of the incident, although weather and marine warnings were gradually being lifted, the long-wave effect brought by the passing typhoon often possesses a high degree of concealment and destructive power. Areas such as breakwaters, seawalls, and the fishing port's red lighthouse have always been popular fishing spots for sea fishing enthusiasts and the public. However, when the wind and waves are still unsettled, these locations are also extremely hazardous zones along the coastline. The energy of waves crashing ashore should not be underestimated, as they can often generate a massive thrust in an instant, causing people to lose their balance without warning. The Li father and son went to the location to fish, not anticipating the sudden change in marine conditions that led to this irreversible tragedy, which once again highlights the importance of reverence for the natural environment and risk assessment during ocean-oriented activities.

Following the accident, the Keelung City Fire Bureau and the Coast Guard Administration of the Ocean Affairs Council received the report at the first instance and immediately launched a joint land, sea, and air search and rescue mechanism. Because the location where the person fell into the sea lies at the intersection of the outer port area and the breakwater, the terrain is complex and underwater currents are treacherous, presenting immense challenges to the rescue operation. Patrol boats dispatched by the Coast Guard scoured the sea surface in an attempt to brave the wind and waves to search for the missing person. Shore-based coast guard personnel and fire bureau rescue teams conducted blanket searches along the port's coastline, reef areas, and breakwaters. Meanwhile, the National Airborne Service Corps deployed helicopters to survey the sea from the air, carrying out a large-scale aerial search to seize the golden rescue window by combining trilateral forces across sea, land, and air to expand the search radius.

This unexpected incident has not only deeply affected the family of the missing person but has also sparked widespread discussion across society regarding safety regulations for coastal fishing activities. Taiwan is surrounded by the sea, boasting a long coastline and numerous scattered fishing ports, with a massive sea fishing population. However, around the time of typhoons or seasonal transitions, coastal areas frequently experience sudden, massive waves commonly known as "rogue waves." These marine conditions often emerge abruptly during periods of calm, making them impossible to guard against. Relevant authorities have long continuously urged the public not to engage in outdoor activities such as wave-watching, fishing, or other pursuits along the coast, breakwaters, or reef areas while maritime warnings are in effect or until wind and wave conditions have stabilized, and they should mandate the wearing of life jackets and non-slip shoes to reduce the fatal risks of accidents.

As search and rescue operations continue, the general public not only hopes for a miracle and prays for the safe return of the missing Mr. Li, but this tragedy also leaves society with profound room for reflection. How to implement effective safety management and strengthen public crisis awareness and disaster prevention education while promoting marine recreational tourism and meeting the public's desire to engage with the ocean is a long-term challenge that regulatory authorities and society as a whole must jointly face. Every maritime accident serves as a rigorous examination of the public safety net. Only through more comprehensive early warning mechanisms, stricter regional controls, and heightened public safety awareness can similar family tragedies be prevented from happening again.

(Source of facts: Central News Agency)