Thousands flock to Dongshi fireworks show, township office apologizes for traffic jams

Thousands flocked to Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf in Chiayi County on Saturday night for a spectacular 480-second high-altitude fireworks display. The event, a highlight of the 40th anniversary celebrations for the Chiayi County Dragon Boat Race, illuminated the night sky and drew an estimated crowd of over 10,000 people.

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The number of participants far exceeded our expectations, causing inconvenience to the daily lives of our fellow villagers.

However, the massive turnout overwhelmed local infrastructure, leading to severe traffic jams on roads connecting to the wharf. The situation was exacerbated by ongoing construction on the Dongshi South Bridge on Provincial Highway 17, forcing vehicles to detour onto the side road of Highway 61.

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Dongshi Fisherman's Wharf fireworks display was more beautiful than the National Day fireworks, very worth seeing.

The Dongshi Township Office acknowledged the congestion and apologized for the inconvenience caused to residents and visitors. "The number of participants far exceeded our expectations, causing inconvenience to the daily lives of our fellow villagers," the office stated. They expressed gratitude for the public's cooperation and understanding.

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So many people, the exit was completely jammed.

Despite the traffic woes, many attendees praised the fireworks, with some online comments suggesting they were even more beautiful than national day displays. Local officials noted the event's success in bringing crowds and economic opportunities to the area. The township chief, Lin Chun-hsiung, pledged to address issues such as parking, stage area size, and restroom availability for next year's event, promising enhanced traffic control and improved facilities.

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The event period caused traffic congestion in the surrounding areas and inconvenience to some villagers' lives, for which we express our sincere apologies.