Man Jailed for Spreading False Rumors of Government Poisoning Rescue Workers

A man in Taiwan has been sentenced to 50 days in prison for spreading false rumors online about the government poisoning rescue workers. The court found the man guilty of violating the Disaster Prevention Act.

The incident occurred after Typhoon Kalmaeg hit Taiwan in September 2025, causing heavy rainfall and triggering a massive landslide in Hualien. Over 20,000 volunteers, dubbed "shovel heroes" for their efforts, assisted in the cleanup.

The accused man, identified only as Mr. Chiu, used Facebook to spread misinformation. He alleged that the government sprayed large amounts of organophosphate pesticides in the disaster area, causing rescue workers to develop fevers and rhabdomyolysis. He claimed these symptoms were pesticide poisoning, not dengue fever or the flu, and urged people to avoid the sprayed areas.

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The man's actions of spreading false information were sufficient to cause damage and panic to the general public.

Investigators found that Mr. Chiu, who has no background in medicine or pharmacology, fabricated the conspiracy theory based solely on news reports. He did not conduct any on-site testing. He admitted to the accusations during the investigation. The court considered his confession, his university education, and his current unemployment while caring for his parents. It also factored in his motive, purpose, and the relatively minor harm to social order, along with his financial situation.

The judge stated that Mr. Chiu's actions caused public panic and harm. He was sentenced to 50 days in prison, which can be commuted to a fine. The ruling is subject to appeal.

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The court considered his confession, his university education, and his current unemployment while caring for his parents.