A boom crane truck doing typhoon-repair work at the south breakwater of Suao Port in Yilan was swept into the sea on the afternoon of Oct. 21, leaving a worker surnamed Lin missing. The Central Weather Administration issued a sea warning late that night.
According to the United Daily News and the Central News Agency, the accident happened at about 4:12 p.m. on Oct. 21 at the south breakwater of Suao Port in Yilan County. A boom crane truck used in typhoon-damage repairs was knocked into the sea by large waves, and the county fire department received the alert at around 4:30 p.m. A man surnamed Lin, reportedly in his 60s, was said to be in the vehicle.
광고 문의 · 300×250Coast guard and fire crews began searching at once. Reports said coast guard units, harbor police, 38 fire personnel, two patrol boats and an air-rescue helicopter took part, but high waves and poor night visibility led to the search being paused around 8 p.m. It is due to resume at daybreak on Oct. 22.
The Port Operator's Account and Open Questions
Citing Taiwan International Ports Corp., reports said the port company held a typhoon-preparation meeting on Oct. 20 and told the contractor to withdraw equipment and personnel by 2 p.m. on Oct. 21. After the contractor withdrew, a subcontractor's crew allegedly entered the site to collect formwork without informing the port company or the supervising firm, and waves washing over the breakwater swept the vehicle away.
That is the port company's account, and the exact cause is still under investigation. Some reports said it could not be confirmed whether the missing man was inside the vehicle, and his exact age, identity and the subcontracting arrangement have not been officially confirmed. Responsibility is expected to be examined once the search ends.
Chanpi's Track and Work and School Closures
At 11:30 p.m. on Oct. 21 the Central Weather Administration issued a sea typhoon warning for Strong Typhoon Chanpi. The center was about 730 km east-southeast of Taiwan, moving northwest at roughly 14 km/h, with maximum sustained winds of 55 m/s near the center and a Level 7 wind radius of about 280 km that could still widen. The warning covers the northeastern and southeastern seas and the Bashi Channel.
The agency expects the storm to weaken slowly and approach Taiwan as a medium typhoon at the upper end of the range, with a land warning possible around midday on Oct. 22. Exposed coasts and outlying islands may see gusts of Level 9 to 11 on Oct. 22, heavy rain is forecast for the north, Yilan, the central mountains and northern Hualien mountains on Oct. 23, and the storm should move away from the afternoon of Oct. 24.
No decision has been made on work or school closures. The United Daily News and others reported that the Taipei-area cities and counties would announce on the evening of Oct. 22 at 8 p.m. Wuling Farm and Fushou Farm will close from noon on Oct. 22, and Mandarin Airlines and UNI Air have adjusted or cancelled some domestic and cross-strait flights. Local governments also warned of fines of up to NT$250,000 for entering shoreline restricted zones.
