TAINAN (TVBS News) — Tainan City Mayor Huang Wei-che pledged Thursday (March 7) to hold construction firms accountable for the sinkhole that formed a day earlier in the West Central District, committing to safeguard city residents' rights.
Due to a road collapse at a construction site, a small cargo truck sank into a sinkhole measuring 15 meters long, 5 meters wide, and 3 meters deep. The progress of construction at the site further led to a crane arm falling, wrecking traffic signs and residential buildings.
As of Thursday morning, the collapse was filled with grout, restoring two-way traffic. Mayor Huang, who was in Tokyo, urgently scheduled his return to Taiwan.
The Tainan City Government established an emergency command post at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, ordered a cease in construction, and imposed a fine of NT$270,000 on the construction company for negligence impacting public safety.
Huang posted on Facebook that grouting operations were completed earlier than planned at 12:30 a.m. on Thursday. Tests revealed surrounding houses were within safety parameters with no risk of toppling. However, they are continuously watched every three hours to prevent unforeseen accidents.
Tainan Deputy Mayor Chao Ching-hui stated that the collapse incident is related to the construction of the slurry wall. The construction firm, Huang Long Construction, proceeded to the next step before the cement hardened, presumably causing the collapse.
The city government demanded Huang Long Construction monitor frequently, confirm the safety of neighboring buildings, and submit an improvement plan for approval by the relevant guild before resuming work.
Hsu Yin Hsien, the director of the Tainan Professional Civil Engineers Association, confirmed the safety of neighboring buildings and will continue to monitor them.