TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Chiayi County launched a disaster response drill on Monday (Feb. 2) at the 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival (台灣燈會) venue, following heightened security concerns after the Dec. 19 stabbing incident in Taipei. County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) inspected the handling of various emergency scenarios at the drill site in front of Yung Ching Senior High School (永慶高中) to ensure readiness for the upcoming festival. The incident has prompted local authorities across Taiwan to increase police patrols and enhance public event safety.
The 2026 Taiwan Lantern Festival will run from March 3 to 15 in Chiayi County, a rural area in southwestern Taiwan, with officials expecting large crowds, according to a press release. The county government aims to achieve zero accidents and zero casualties during the 13-day event. The exercise focused on emergency situations arising from large gatherings, allowing festival volunteers to practice medical aid, firefighting, and emergency evacuation skills.
Organizers presented the drill in a realistic manner, covering scenarios including fire rescue, volunteer-led evacuations, significant traffic accidents, and mass casualty emergency medical aid. Weng emphasized the importance of quickly controlling situations to reduce panic and addressing rumors during the festival. The event promises many performances over its 13-day schedule.
Nearly 350 participants joined the drill, which aimed to establish a comprehensive disaster prevention and response mechanism to ensure the safety of every festival-goer. The Chiayi County Government stated it remains committed to maintaining public safety and encourages everyone to stay informed about the festival's developments. ◼