Five Workers Injured, Two Unconscious in Taichung Sewer Maintenance Accident

This afternoon, a sudden accident occurred at a sewer construction site at the intersection of Section 5 of Fengyuan Boulevard and Shuiyuan Road in Taichung City's Fengyuan District. Municipal sewer maintenance was underway at the site when, due to the complex working environment, 5 workers experienced physical discomfort during the operation, with 2 of them losing consciousness. The fire department and ambulances arrived at the scene promptly and transported all injured individuals to hospitals for emergency treatment.

This project is part of an infrastructure improvement initiative launched by the Taichung City Government to upgrade the urban drainage system, with the primary objective of repairing aging pipelines and increasing drainage capacity. Sewer repairs typically involve multiple tasks such as excavation, pipe joining, and testing, requiring workers to wear protective equipment and follow safety operating protocols. However, the humidity, gas concentrations, and mechanical operation risks inherent in underground spaces remain common safety concerns.

The injured workers have been sent to Taichung Hospital for treatment. Doctors stated that 2 of the workers suffered from altered states of consciousness due to oxygen deprivation or gas poisoning, and require further observation and treatment. The remaining 3 workers experienced minor physical discomfort and have already recovered after receiving simple medical treatment. Upon receiving the report, the fire department rapidly initiated emergency rescue procedures and coordinated traffic control to ensure safety in the accident area.

Following the incident, the Taichung City Fire Bureau and Transportation Bureau immediately launched on-site inspections and temporarily suspended vehicular traffic and pedestrian access at the intersection. Relevant municipal departments have assigned a dedicated task force to investigate the cause of the accident and have instructed the construction contractor to re-examine its safety management measures. The police will also assist in investigating whether there was any illegal construction or safety negligence.

Such sewer construction accidents not only pose a direct threat to the health of workers but may also cause traffic disruptions and inconveniences for local residents. Over the past few years, similar underground engineering accidents have occurred multiple times in Taichung City, serving as a reminder to the city government that safety education and supervision must be strengthened. If stricter safety inspections, real-time gas monitoring, and worker training can be implemented in the future, the probability of such incidents recurring will be effectively reduced.

(Source: Central News Agency)