Exhibition celebrates survivors of the 2015 water park fire

Exhibition celebrates survivors of the 2015 water park fire

2025-06-25

In 2015, a fire at a New Taipei water park killed 15 and injured 471 during a party held inside an empty swimming pool. On that fateful night, colored corn starch powder was being blasted into the crowd when it caught fire from the heat of stage lights. Ten years on, survivors are sharing their stories of recovery in an exhibition curated by a clinical psychologist who was also a burn victim herself. Running from June 25 to 29, visitors are invited to reflect on how our society can better support those recovering from trauma.

Leo Huang
Burn survivor
Personally speaking, even though I lost my limbs from this accident, can you guess what I’ve gained? I can freely decide the heights I’ll go to.

Up to 90% of Leo Huang’s skin area suffered burns from the 2015 New Taipei water park fire. On June 27 ten years ago, Huang, along with hundreds of others were at a color powder party held in an empty swimming pool. The colored corn starch powder caught fire and killed 15 partygoers within 40 seconds. The incident shocked the whole country. Now, survivors are telling their stories through an exhibition.

Leo Huang
Burn survivor
At that time, the other option was to become an angel in another world. But I didn’t want to give up so easily without having tried hard first. Now that I can take care of myself, I believe at least my parents can feel more assured. Getting a cat later on was also an important decision. It means I have gone from being taken care of to being responsible for another life.

At the exhibition, viewers can try on pressure garments that survivors had to wear for up to three years after skin grafting. The neon color scheme not only echoes the colored powder that was used, but also represents how survivors have fought to overcome their traumas over the last decade. On top of the 400-plus burn victims, many more, including friends and family of survivors are still triggered by the tragedy.

Chien Yuan-ling
Clinical psychologist and also survivor
I remember when I asked survivors whether they wanted to take part, there were family members in the conversation group that didn’t want to talk about what happened anymore. They didn’t see the point in remembering it. I felt really shocked, because I knew that most people may seem to have it together, but deep inside they might still be struggling.

The organizer said the intention was not to categorize survivors based on how they’re faring after a traumatic incident. Instead, they hope to de-stigmatize survivors and also encourage the public to think about what they and the broader society can do to support those with trauma.

Lu Chia-hui
Beone Sexuality Counseling and Health Alliance
After a traumatic incident, some people may choose to forget in order to move on. But we hope to show more people that there are other ways.

Through personal stories of survivors, the exhibition helps to raise awareness of the physical and psychological impact of burns, as well as public safety. Ten years after the 2015 fire, survivors, and those who supported them along the way, are being celebrated and encouraged to visualize their futures in the decade ahead.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#survivorstories #recovery #burnsurvivors #socialsafetynet #mentalhealth

八仙塵爆走過10年! 倖存者勇敢述說心路歷程

2025-06-25

2015年的八仙塵爆事件，釀成15死471傷，很多傷患、目擊民眾至今還是無法走過傷痛，有倖存者勇敢活出自己人生，還有人成為心理師，10年來的心路歷程，透過展覽說故事，還把壓力衣展示出來，讓大家體驗。

[[八仙塵爆倖存者黃博煒]]
“對我來說，雖然我在這場意外失去手腳，你們知道我得到什麼嗎，我可以自由決定我的身高”

全身高達90%燒燙傷的黃博煒，無奈地自嘲，會變這樣，是因為10年前的那場，新北市八仙塵爆事件，6月27日晚上，在抽乾水的游泳池內彩粉派對，40秒火災帶走15名年輕人，震驚全台，現在的大家，正在過怎樣的日子，部分傷者辦展來說故事。

[[八仙塵爆倖存者黃博煒]]
“我覺得因為當下對我來說，另外一條路就是只能夠到另個世界當天使，但對我來說，我就覺得我不想要在，還沒有努力的時候就那麼輕易放棄，現在能夠照顧自己之後，我覺得至少對(爸媽)來說，會比較放心一點，養貓咪也是一個很重要的決定，就是我從被照顧到對另外一個生命負責”

來到這，你可以體驗燙傷患者長達2-3年，穿著的壓力衣，彩色主視覺，除了代表事發當下，還有大家這10年來的努力生活，400多位傷患，還是有很多傷者、家屬，不想回憶過去，覺得低調一點就好。

[[臨床心理師(八仙塵爆倖存者) 簡苑玲]]
“我記得去年在問(傷友)的時候，我們那個群組就有家屬就說，這種事情有什麼好紀念的，就不要再談了，然後我心中就(震驚) ，我知道的是大部份的人，可能看起來(過得)還不賴，可是心中還有一些小小卡卡的地方”

策展單位說，不是想用好不好來分類傷者狀態，而是想要替大家撕下標籤，想要知道，還有什麼新的可能？還能做什麼？

[[荷光聯盟執行長呂嘉惠]]
“在一個創傷的歷程當中，有些人可能選擇用遺忘的方式去度過它，但是我們也希望讓更多的人，能夠看到有其他選項”

透過當事人親身經歷與創作，除了讓更多人了解燒燙傷、及公安問題，以八仙塵爆 10週年為起點，開啟重建計畫，不只致敬照護人員，也讓傷友在疤痕中，找到生命方向。

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民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
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China waives application fee for Taiwan Compatriot Permit

China announced on Tuesday that it would hold a Victory Day parade on Sept. 3 to celebrate the 80th anniversary of victory against Japan at the end of WWII. Veterans who fought in the war on the KMT’s side were also invited. In response, Taiwan’s Defense Minister Wellington Koo said that the war was won by the ROC. Meanwhile, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office also announced that it would eliminate the application fee for the Taiwan Compatriot Permit, which is the travel document Taiwanese need to enter China with. A DPP lawmaker cautioned against any deals that appear enticing, arguing that they’re actually part of China’s united front efforts.

Zhu Fenglian
Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson
From July 1, 2025 to Dec. 31, 2027, an application fee waiver for the Taiwan Compatriot Permit will be in place for Taiwan’s first-time travelers to the mainland.

To encourage cross-strait exchanges, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office is offering an application fee waiver for the Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident, also known as the Taiwan Compatriot Permit. For regular applications, that’s a saving of NT$1,500. But do the Taiwanese think it’s a good-enough deal?

Member of public
I wouldn’t want to go to China just because it’s NT$1,500 cheaper. I’d still be concerned about safety.

Member of public
Yes, because NT$1,500 is a lot of money. I get to save a lot. Think of it like the NT$1,200 T-pass, at NT$1,500, I get to save NT$300.

Member of public
What’s wrong with benefiting the average folk? It’s alright as long as it doesn’t involve politics.

It seems that many find the waiver enticing enough. Meanwhile, a DPP lawmaker cautions against it, saying it’s a united front tactic from China.

Huang Jie
Lawmaker (DPP)
There’s only one goal behind this, which is to drop our guard against the CCP and give Taiwanese a good impression of China, but this is all smoke and mirrors. It’s all for their united front strategy. It’s poison dipped in sugar.

On top of the just-announced waiver for the travel permit, it’s now revealed on social media that China offers Taiwan’s veterans free entry into their national parks provided they have a certificate of discharge from the ROC Armed Forces.

On Sept. 3, China will stage a Victory Day parade for the 80th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day. It’s rumored that veterans of the war on the then-ruling KMT’s side under the Second United Front alliance are also invited. Defense Minister Wellington Koo condemned China for this.

Wellington Koo
Minister of National Defense
The War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and subsequent victory was led by the ROC, not the PRC. Our veterans who fought in the war must take caution. China has always exercised cognitive warfare and rhetoric warfare of this sort to wedge divisions. We will also hold a series of related events, to which our retired soldiers will be invited.

Officials are sounding alarm about China’s united front tactics that lie behind what may appear as benefits offered to Taiwanese.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#crossstrait #taiwan #china #WWII #ROC #PRC

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ITRI joins hands with industry associations and tech giants to fight patent trolls

Have you ever heard of a patent troll? It’s slang for a company that obtains patent rights in order to profit purely from the licensing or litigation involved, while not doing the hard work to produce any of its own goods or services. These global trolls have been going after the hard-won R&D of Taiwanese companies. Now there’s a pushback. Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute or ITRI has joined hands with several industry associations and leading companies, to create a Taiwan edition of the LOT Industry Alliance. The resulting intellectual property protection network will help Taiwanese companies to protect each other from marauding trolls and their lawsuits.

The LOT Industry Alliance is formally inaugurated. Its aim is to protect Taiwan’s industries from intellectual property theft. According to statistics from IP Bank, starting from 2022, as many as 70% of patent litigation cases involving Taiwanese companies were initiated by patent trolls.

Hsu Chieh-li
Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association
Patent trolls are essentially not involved in manufacturing or production. They just scurry to different companies or institutions and buy their patents and use them to make profits.

In order to do battle with these trolls, ITRI has teamed up with the Chinese National Federation of Industries, the Taiwan Electrical and Electronic Manufacturers’ Association and the Intellectual Property Innovation Corporation to found the Taiwan edition of the LOT Industry Alliance. They’ve invited nearly 20 technology giants, including TSMC, ASE Holdings, and Siliconware Precision Industries, that have combined revenues exceeding NT$4.4 trillion, to give support. They estimate they will gather together nearly 150,000 patients to build an intellectual property protection network.

Liao Cheng-wei
Ministry of Economic Affairs
Through this alliance, the hard-won R&D results from our Taiwanese manufacturers will not fall into the hands of Non-Practicing Entities. They can avoid dealing with these unnecessary matters and devote all their energy and spirit to R&D.

Wang Peng-yu
ITRI Technology Transfer and Law Center
For this patent, we have a special mutual authorization among ourselves. This authorization is only among ourselves. If it were to risk falling into the hands of a patent troll, a Non-Practicing Entity, we have a mechanism where we mutually have authorization.

Taiwan’s forces of industry, government and research have joined up to form a Taiwan national team for defending intellectual property. It will fight trolls, defend intellectual property rights and thus help to protect the future of Taiwan’s industries.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#IP #intellectualproperty #ITRI #technews #TSMC

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Yehliu light show gives Queen’s Head Rock 100 transformations

The 2025 Yehliu Night Tours are beginning at the end of this month at the Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei. This year’s theme is landscape conservation, which integrates creativity with technology to create a dazzling display of illuminations. The geopark features a rock formation that resembles a queen’s head, which will be lit in a variety of ways created by artists and local students.

Visitors gather at the Yehliu Geopark in New Taipei City to see a dazzling display of lights. Queen’s Head Rock is illuminated in a variety of gorgeous outfits, while pathways are lit up with colorful and creative projections.

Visitor
I think it’s pretty and it’s really improved a lot from before. I love it. I saw a lot of lights and I think they add a lot to the atmosphere here.

Visitor
I really think it’s pretty. It’s like stepping into a hidden place in time. When we got to one area, we were overjoyed. And with the light show on top of that, it’s really the best I’ve seen in recent years.

With landscape conservation at its core, the event integrates creativity and technology to highlight Yehliu’s beautiful rock formations. Queen’s Head Rock stands out for its “drag show,” displaying many beautiful appearances created by famous artists and local elementary and middle-school students.

Wu Chien-chih
Northern scenic area deputy director
This year for the “queen of 100 transformations,” we worked together with domestic and international artists as well as local elementary and middle-school students to create a total of 104 artworks. Then through advanced technology, we projected them onto the queen’s head.

By integrating original artworks with advanced technology, the geopark gives the Queen’s Head Rock a variety of new looks and offers visitors a unique experience.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Xiaoliuqiu ferries to check IDs among new conservation measures

Starting this summer, passengers taking the Tungliu Line ferries to the island of Xiaoliuqiu will have to present a valid photo ID before boarding. The policy will begin a trial period from July 1 and be fully implemented on August 4. With many people traveling during the summer, boarding times may take longer than usual. The island is also implementing three new conservation policies starting in July.

Travelers have always had to present an ID to buy ferry tickets at the Tungliu Line port. Now they will also have to show their ID when boarding the ferry.

The Maritime and Port Bureau is making ferry boarding policies stricter, requiring companies to check passengers’ ID cards, health insurance cards, resident cards, or passports before boarding starting on August 4. Ferry companies are coordinating to try out the new policy in July. With summer vacation bringing a rush of tourists, they worry that boarding will take a lot longer.

Chi Ching-sheng
Ferry company manager
Starting from July 1, several companies will start trying out the policy. If we encounter any difficulties during the trial, we will report it to our superiors as soon as possible.

Member of public
I think this should be good. At least it can control the people boarding.

Member of public
It’s enough to check an ID once. There’s no need to check it multiple times. It’s time-consuming.

The government is also introducing three new conservation measures on Xiaoliuqiu starting on July 1. First, visitors to Venice Beach will have to pay a conservation fee of NT$60 per person. This fee was already introduced last year for the Shanfu, Yuchengwei, and Duziping intertidal zones. Second, visitors are restricted from entering the main area of Lobster Cave. Third, all sea urchins within the island’s conservation areas will be included as protected species.

Member of public
I think it’s reasonable, because the concept of visitors paying a fee is important.

Member of public
It’s alright because we should all help to protect the environment.

Lin Pai-chen
Marine office director
The conservation fee can be paid at any ibon machine in Taiwan.

People traveling to Xiaoliuqiu Island this summer should make sure to have their ID ready and arrive at the port early to give staff enough time to check.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

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Senior Hong Kong immigrant gives unmatched tours of Tainan

Originally from Hong Kong, David Chan moved to Taiwan with his wife 13 years ago. At 74 years old, the former real-estate agent now volunteers as a bilingual tour guide, giving tours in English and Chinese. Even more familiar with Tainan’s history than most Tainan natives, he takes tourists through local historical sites with his wealth of knowlege.

Students from Shantang Elementary School follow 74-year-old tour guide David Chan into Tainan’s famous Chikan Tower, an old Dutch colonial outpost.

David Chan
Tour guide
I’m from Hong Kong, so my accent is different from yours. Have you heard an accent like mine before?

He first explains his accent, worried that it might be hard for the kids to understand. But Chan’s explanation of this famous site is thorough and interesting, introducing visitors to the local history.

Chen Yi-shan
Elementary school teacher
It’s really admirable. It’s incredible that he can give Chinese and English tours at his age.

During his tours, Chan always brings up anecdotes that even locals might not know. From the perspective of other tour guides, his knowledge is even more impressive.

Huang Kuo-tung
Tour guide
For foreigners coming to Tainan, it’s a place with a very rich cultural history. I think it’s really not easy.

Born in 1951 in Hong Kong, David Chan has always been passionate about public service. He previously served in the Royal Hong Kong Regiment and as a first responder both with a fire brigade and ambulance. He moved to Taiwan in 2012 with his wife to take care of family. Even though he is already at retirement age, Chan believes that he should stay active and keep learning.

David Chan
Tour guide
I’m old now and my wife doesn’t want me running around all day. But I think for me, I want to stay active, so I move when I can and eat what I can.

For Chan, leading a busy and full life is the best way to stay healthy.

David Chan
Tour guide
I really envy some of my colleagues because their wives come with them to class. I think it’s great. But I told my wife, and she has absolutely no interest in this.

Some people start to slow down in their 70s, but Chan found a new passion that keeps him going strong.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
Tue to Sat at 1 am on Channel 53

#Tainan #tourguide #HongKong #immigrant #70s #senior #ChikanTower #active #stayactive #seniorliving

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