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๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ผ Taiwan /Disasters & Emergencies

Tree Falls on Car Near Keelung Tunnel; Driver Unharmed

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • A large tree fell from a slope near the Guanghua Tunnel in Keelung, Taiwan, hitting a car.
  • The driver of the car was unharmed, but the vehicle sustained damage to its windshield.
  • Local officials are addressing the incident and assisting the car owner with compensation claims.

A large tree toppled from a slope near the Guanghua Tunnel in Keelung, Taiwan, striking a car that had just exited the tunnel. The incident occurred around 7 PM on Tuesday. The driver, identified by the surname Wang, was startled and braked sharply, resulting in spiderweb cracks on the car's windshield. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Heavy rainfall in the area likely contributed to the tree's collapse. The Meteorological Agency had issued warnings for localized heavy rain in the Keelung and North Coast region from Tuesday evening into Wednesday morning. Local authorities, including city councilor Shih Wei-cheng, responded to the scene. Shih emphasized concerns about the stability of trees on slopes, especially during unstable weather conditions, following a previous landslide in the nearby Tongming Street area.

Emergency contractors have been dispatched to remove the fallen tree. Shih Wei-cheng stated that he has notified the Keelung city government and the Zhongshan District Office. He also pledged to assist the car owner in pursuing compensation for the damages. Police were present to direct traffic and closed the tunnel's other exit, urging motorists to use alternative routes. Residents are advised to avoid the area and exercise caution due to the unstable weather.

The trees on the hillside are too dense, and with unstable weather, they become a potential bomb for traffic safety.

โ€” Shih Wei-chengKeelung City Councilor Shih Wei-cheng expressed concern about the safety risks posed by trees on slopes after the incident.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.