TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Minister of Transportation and Communications Li Meng-Yen (李孟諺) outlined three safety enhancements on Sunday (June 23) to improve safety on the Hualien-Taitung railway line.
These measures include dredging wild streams, installing a debris overflow warning system with continuous CCTV monitoring, and reassessing barrier facilities and alarm systems in the Yilan-Hualien-Taitung region.
Following a June 21 landslide that derailed the Taiwan Railways Corporation's Tze-Chiang Limited Express (台鐵自強號) in Hualien, stranding passengers amid mud and debris, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC, 交通部) quickly convened a meeting.
Alongside Deputy Minister Wu Sheng-yuan (伍勝園) and TRC Chairman Du Wei (杜微), the ministry formed a plan to prevent future incidents. On Monday, the ministry, in collaboration with local and national agencies, will survey the area to develop improvement strategies, including installing water level meters at the Da Qingshui River (大清水溪) railway bridge within a month.
The MOTC announced that the debris warning system should be operational by July 22, with additional CCTV cameras set for 24-hour monitoring. Plans are also underway to enhance landslide and debris flow barriers and alarms throughout the region, including the Pingxi Line.