Community fined NT$60,000 after girl injured by flipping manhole cover

A young girl in New Taipei City suffered leg abrasions after stepping on a manhole cover that flipped up like a seesaw, causing her to fall. The incident occurred early on August 16th as the 120cm-tall girl was walking home with her parent near the side gate of a community.

The girl's parent reported the incident on a local Facebook group, emphasizing the urgency of addressing public safety issues, especially in areas frequented by children, as a nearby kindergarten means younger children could be at greater risk of serious injury, including head trauma.

Responding to the complaint, the New Taipei City Public Works Bureau investigated the site. They confirmed the manhole and surrounding pavement are within the community's grounds and designated for public use along the street. The Bureau has fined the community NT$60,000 for failing to maintain the area and has given them a deadline to complete repairs. Failure to comply will result in continuous penalties, potentially reaching NT$300,000.

The Bureau also reminded property owners, users, and managers of their legal responsibility for maintenance. They are also promoting a subsidy program for communities to repair shared areas, including pavements, fire lanes, and exterior walls, with applications open until October 31st.