Historic East Gate in Tainan Collapses Amid Heavy Rain; No Injuries Reported

A section of the historic East Gate, known as Dongmen City, in Tainan, Taiwan, collapsed early this morning amid continuous heavy rainfall. The northern wall of the national historic site, along with scaffolding used for maintenance, gave way, sending a large amount of debris onto the roadway.

Fortunately, the collapse occurred around 6 a.m. when the road was clear, preventing any casualties. Emergency services cordoned off the debris, and city officials were notified for further assessment and cleanup. The East Gate, one of Tainan's original seven city gates, has been undergoing restoration work since November of last year, with an expected completion date of January 2028.

Netizens reacted to the incident with dark humor, with some comparing the collapse to the legend of Meng Jiangnu crying down the Great Wall, while others attributed it to the "crying" of the heavy rain. The incident highlights the vulnerability of historical structures to extreme weather conditions, even during restoration efforts.