TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Premier Cho Jung-tai (卓榮泰) confirmed 15 deaths and over 100 missing Wednesday (Sept. 24) after a landslide-induced barrier lake overflowed upstream of the Mataian Creek (馬太鞍溪) a day earlier. The disaster destroyed the Mataian Creek Bridge (馬太鞍溪橋) along Taiwan's Highway 9, flooding Guangfu Township, a rural community in eastern Taiwan. Cho inspected the disaster site and promised government assistance for affected residents.
Cho highlighted the government's immediate response, which included a comprehensive evacuation plan and tight monitoring of the barrier lake. He acknowledged flaws in the evacuation's execution. President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) directed the military to assist in rescue efforts promptly after the incident.
Cho instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare (衛福部), Taiwan's health authority, to ensure full medical support, deploying engineers, rescuers, medical personnel, and social workers to aid the affected area. Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai (陳世凱) arrived at the damaged bridge Wednesday morning. He instructed the Highway Bureau (公路局) to complete a culvert pathway by Oct. 15 for emergency vehicle access.
Chen outlined a three-phase reconstruction plan for the destroyed infrastructure. The second phase involves setting up a temporary steel bridge by February 2026. The final stage aims to finish the permanent southbound bridge by the end of 2026, with full bridge reconstruction slated for completion in 2027. ◼