Matai’an Bridge collapses in flooding 6 years after opening

Matai’an Bridge collapses in flooding 6 years after opening

2025-09-24

The force of the floodwaters from the barrier lake caused immense damage to infrastructure. The Matai’an Bridge downstream was completely wiped out. The bridge was built just a few years ago in 2019, serving as part of the main artery between Hualien and Taitung. Without it, trips from one bank to the other would take at least half an hour longer.

The transport minister visited the site on Wednesday, and pledged that rebuilding work would commence as soon as possible. The immediate goal is to open a temporary path across the river for emergency vehicles before Oct. 15. A metallic structure could take its place before the Lunar New Year, so that all vehicles can drive across. In the long-term, it’s hoped that a full fledged bridge will stand at the site by the end of 2027.

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

#bridge #mataian #flooding #bridgefailure #rebuilding

馬太鞍溪橋完工僅6年遭沖毀陳世凱:10/15前涵管便橋應急

2025-09-24

這次被沖斷的花蓮馬太鞍溪橋，2019年正式啟用，如今整座橋幾乎全毀。也斷了花蓮台東往返的主要幹線台9縣，需改走花46線-箭瑛大橋-193線-台11甲線，預計繞行時間約0.5小時。交通部長陳世凱，前往現場視察，承諾會加快重建。

交通部目標，在10月15號前，完成河床涵管便道，提供應急車輛通行，過年前則要搭好鋼便橋，不限車種通行，長期重建方案將盡速設計、發包，希望2027年完成全橋改建。

更多新聞內容，請鎖定：
民視台灣台（152頻道）週一至週五晚上9:30
民視新聞台（53頻道）週二至週六凌晨1:00

Related News

Taichung City Council breaks into scuffle as DPP pushes NT$50,000 cash handouts

Taichung City Council broke into a scuffle during an emergency session on Wednesday. The opposition DPP had geared up to have the council vote on a bill that would approve NT$50,000 in cash handouts for every Taichung resident. While a fight broke out on the floor, Mayor Lu Shiow-yen stepped outside to get away from the chaos. In the end, it was decided that the city government shall come up with a plan and give a presentation a month from now.

DPP Taichung City Councilor Lim Ki-hong takes the lead to confront Mayor Lu Shiow-yen head-on.

While Lim’s assistant farms social media content, Lee Chung of the KMT yells at him and shoos him off.

The DPP’s Shih Chih-chang rushes forward to hit back at Lee, but things don’t end here.

Lee goes back to the assistant, who wasn’t supposed to be on the floor for starters. The KMT’s Chen Cheng-hsien doubles down.

Both ruling and opposition city councilors take to the floor with placards ready. The mayor walks away from the scuffle. Meanwhile, the assistant stays, creating a point of contention.

Lin Shih-hung
Lim Ki-hong’s assistant
I don’t know what I did to deserve this treatment. I feel really maligned. I hope the two city councilors that yelled at me will make a public apology to me and other assistants.

Taichung City Council held an emergency session on Wednesday, during which the DPP caucus again pushed for cash handouts of NT$50,000 to all Taichung residents, leading to scuffles on the floor.

Chen Chu-hua
Taichung City Councilor (DPP)
You’re not reducing debt. You’re not taking care of the city’s residents. But you want the central government to take on debts. You’re a hypocrite.

Chiang Ho-shu
Taichung City Councilor (TPP)
Better little than nothing. How much can you accept? Give us a number. Even 3,000 or 5,000 will do.

Lee Chung
Taichung City Councilor (KMT)
Can Taichung’s finances and incomes really allow us to have so much money to hand out?

In the end, city councilors agreed to have the city government deliberate a cash handout plan, and give a presentation at the council in a month. It remains to be seen whether the first cash handout by a local government will pass.

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

#cash #cashhandout #taichung #splashthecash #taiwan #politics

2025-09-24

Police entertained by drunk Indian man singing at station

2025-09-24

Locals unfazed after sky lantern sets clothes drying in balcony on fire

2025-09-24

Holy Beast murals at Yilan temple painted in modern Pokemon style

Have you ever seen a temple painting quite like this? A 300-year-old temple in Yilan’s Yuanshan Township recently repainted some of their murals, granting a modern style to the traditional Four Holy Beasts that guard the cardinal directions. Some people say they’re lifelike and offer a fresh take, while others think the cartoonish style has sacrificed their solemnity. The temple said they wanted to try something new to attract a younger crowd.

On a backdrop of sky blue, a green dragon unfurls across this temple mural, its horns shining with a golden luster. A red phoenix flies nearby, buoyed by an eternal flame.

Then there’s the black tortoise, its shell encrusted with jewels alongside a leaping white tiger with shining eyes. Unlike the solemn traditional style of temple painting, the Four Holy Beasts at this temple are vivid and lively, depicted almost like they’re Pokémon.

Mr. Lin
Worshiper
They’re lifelike. Very dynamic. Since they’re more modern. This temple has a long history.

Voice of Hsu Han-po
Artist
Originally, they wanted to paint Pokémon on the ceiling. I said we can’t since there would be copyright issues. But I said I could help them design the Four Holy Beasts in the Pokémon style.

The murals at Zaixing Temple in Yilan’s Yuanshan Township were originally monotone. But the temple board wanted to bring more color and life to the four beasts. The Four Holy Beasts are important guardians in Taiwan’s traditional Taoist belief, representing the four cardinal directions.

Temple Chairman Chen
Originally, we just had oil paintings. He kept saying that the Holy Beasts protect the four directions, so he figured why not paint them? But we can’t do a traditional painting! He said let’s make it 3D. I said all right, that’s not a bad idea.

In a departure from tradition, the temple found artist Hsu Han-po to paint the murals, taking only six days from the original mock-up to the final product. In the future, it also plans to do something creative with the other murals, introducing new elements to their traditional building.

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

#temple #Pokemon #tradition #cartoon #templeart #Yilan #ZaixingTemple #art #mural #FourHolyBeasts #religion #artist #dragon #phoenix

2025-09-24

Taiwan receives terror threats over NPM anniversary exhibit in Czechia

2025-09-24

Rescuers free dozens of people from severely flooded Guangfu

2025-09-24

Ati Masaw throws opening pitch at Diamondbacks ’Taiwan Day’

Ever since TSMC announced it was building a campus in Arizona, more and more Taiwanese have been moving to the US state. For this year’s Taiwan Day, Arizona’s major league baseball team, the Diamondbacks, sold 1,500 tickets, a record high. The organizers invited former CPBL star Ati Masaw to throw the first pitch, and set up pinball machines and ring toss games to encourage exchange between Taiwanese and American fans. But the visitors said the most touching part was seeing the Taiwanese flag printed on the giveaway jerseys and the sense of camaraderie in the stadium.

Former CPBL star Ati Masaw takes to the mound at the Arizona Diamondbacks stadium to throw the opening pitch for this year’s Taiwan Day. Fans line up afterward to get his autograph.

This was the second year the Diamondbacks held a Taiwan Day. After nine months of planning, the organizers sold out 1,500 tickets with limited-edition jerseys within seconds. As TSMC expands its investment in the US state, more and more Taiwanese are moving to Phoenix.

Tony Kao
Taiwanese-American
The CEO joined TSMC employees in supporting this Taiwan Day event. All the executives of the suppliers are here too, enthusiastically celebrating this important annual event representing Taiwanese culture.

The Taiwan Day jersey also has a thoughtful design. The Diamondbacks logo is featured on the front left, while the Taiwan flag is printed on the right sleeve and large text reading “Taiwan” is displayed on the back.

Shu Shu
Taiwanese-American
I was a bit surprised too. But then I was happy. They put the flag on it, how great is that! After we got the jerseys, they also gave us Taiwanese flags. In the stadium, lots of people were waving it. It was adorable.

Fans were also excited to get a picture with the Third Prince folk deities—a rarity in the US. But the day wasn’t just about baseball. There were also stands promoting travel in Taiwan.

Shu Shu
Taiwanese-American
Cohesion within the community was stronger than I had imagined. It almost felt like I was back in Taiwan, because everyone was speaking Mandarin. The Taiwanese accent was very obvious. It was a very familiar feeling. And everyone had a great time.

Taiwanese living in Arizona all came together as one to celebrate Taiwan Day, making it one of the biggest yet and expanding Taiwan’s influence far from home.

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

#Arizona #Diamondbacks #TaiwanDay #MLB #ChangTaishan #CPBL #baseball #TaiwaneseAmerican #TSMC #Phoenix #Taiwaneseexpat

2025-09-24

Guangfu left in shambles after barrier lake flash flood

A devastating flash flood has left a trail of destruction in Hualien’s Guangfu Township. A barrier lake on the Matai’an Creek burst on Tuesday afternoon, sending a torrent of muddy water with debris rushing down into the town. At least 17 people have died, and dozens of others are injured or missing. Rescuers are rushing to free trapped residents, and cleanup efforts are getting started to clear the huge amount of debris left behind.

After the 1-story-high flooding subsided overnight, roads were left covered in large swathes of mud reaching knee-height. The cleanup doesn’t stop at the doorsteps. There’s also heaps of debris outside to get rid of.

The entire village was left in devastation. A cargo is seen stuck between a storefront sign and a small truck. Vehicles on the streets are stuck in thick mud.

Inside the convenience store, stocks were all buried under the mud. Many locals’ homes were also left in a mess.

There’s mud before one even reaches the ground floor. Walk a little further, one can see that everything stored in the dark room ahead were all toppled and stranded all over the place.

It’s the same in the bathroom. The sink and toilets are clogged with mud.

Teacher
Local charity cram school
What you see in the front was the classroom. Even the security shutter and glass doors are completely wrecked.

Near the front door, the desks, chairs and toys are all haphazardly stacked together. This is a local charity cram school established to offer daycare to kids from less-privileged families, so that they have a safe place to be after school.

Teacher
Local charity cram school
The water started seeping in from the front and the back. It was slow at first, but then it suddenly all rushed in. The height reaches up to the shoulder of an adult. I’m 167cm tall, so that makes it around 150cm. I was the only one trapped here, because I live upstairs.

The teacher said even though she still has food stockpiles at home, she’s worried about the cleanup and whether she’ll be able to run the school again soon.

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

#ragasa #hualien #river #typhoon #storm #rain #flood #disaster

2025-09-24

Doctors slam Trump over unfounded claims about painkillers and autism

2025-09-24