Massive sinkhole causes gas leak Taipei’s busy Dunhua North Road

2026-07-08

Another massive sinkhole has destroyed a road in downtown Taipei. At around 11:00 on Wednesday morning, an alley along Dunhua North Road in Songshan District caved in, leaving a 4-by-2-meter gap with a depth of 2 meters. What’s worse, the collapse caused underground gas pipes to break, resulting in a leak that alarmed local residents.

Authorities believe the most likely culprit is an urban renewal project along the road, which is managed by Formosa Plastics Group. Excavation work at the site may have loosened the soil and rocks under the ground before operators had time to backfill the gap. It also didn’t help that the area rests on a sandy layer that is prone to subsidence. The Construction Management Office has ordered construction to halt and will impose a maximum fine of NT$90,000 on the contractor and supervisor of the project.

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#sinkhole #collapse #construction #taipei #urbanrenewal

台北敦化北路現"天坑飄瓦斯味" 疑建案施工壓斷管線

2026-07-08

台北市鬧區出現大天坑！今天(8日)早上11點多，松山區敦化北路的巷弄內，坍塌出一個長4公尺、寬2公尺、深度也達2公尺的坑洞，地面坍塌還壓傷瓦斯低壓管，一度造成瓦斯外洩，讓居民非常恐慌。

初步調查發現，這起意外的罪魁禍首疑似就是旁邊的台塑都更新建案工地，在開挖地下連續壁時，土石鬆動來不及回填，加上敦化北路這一帶屬於比較敏感的砂土質地層，這才導致路面坍塌，建管處除了立即予以工地勒令停工處分，並將依建築法相關規定，對該案承造人及監造人各處以9萬元最重罰鍰。

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Many renters face hardships as housing policies are not always effective

In Taiwan, there’s a large underground rental market. Many landlords do not officially report their rental income to the tax office to avoid paying higher taxes. With housing prices and rents both soaring, the government has stepped in to offer rental subsidies to help people who are struggling. But some landlords are resistant to putting their rental contracts on the books, even going as far as refusing to rent to people who want to apply for these subsidies. There’s also a shortage of social housing. The Ministry of the Interior is now turning to government-subsidized rental subleasing and management services, revitalizing vacant private housing to serve as an alternative supply. Let’s see how renters are reacting.

Hsiao En’s most comforting moment is when she returns home and is welcomed by her dog and two cats. However, her landlord’s participation in an urban renewal project has forced her to move again from her two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment, which is over 80-square meters. She originally hoped for social housing, but this repeatedly fell through. With rents increasing, they can eat up almost half her month’s salary.

Hsiao En
Renter
Everyone is on a waiting list, maybe dozens or even hundreds, so I’ll never get a turn. From what I can sense, the average rent in New Taipei City has probably gone up by over NT$5,000. For apartments in better condition, not like those creepy dumps, it’s probably at least NT$25,000 or more.

With housing prices and rents rising year after year, housing pressure has intensified. After the government expanded rent subsidies, some landlords are now restricting tenants from applying for them as they are concerned their tax burdens will increase. In addition, social housing has long been in short supply. The Ministry of the Interior has now turned to government-subsidized rental subleasing and management services, revitalizing vacant private housing to serve as an alternative supply.

Ou Cheng-hsing
National Land Management Agency
There is a massive resource in the private sector: a large number of vacant homes. We hope these landlords will make these properties available, essentially creating a private-sector version of social housing.

Ms Chen
They said I was too old and landlords wouldn’t rent to me. They said "What will I do if you die in the apartment?” They refused me outright. Policies sound good, but they can’t achieve anything.

Although social housing subleasing and management regulations prioritize taking care of vulnerable groups, elderly people who live alone often face rejections from landlords due to concerns about health and income.

Wang Tse-jen
New Taipei City rental association
Let’s look at the actual data: vulnerable tenants are not the same as bad tenants; they still pay their rent as normal. Looking at current subsidized housing operators, the proportion of vulnerable tenants within our association has already reached as high as 45%.

Ou Cheng-hsing
National Land Management Agency
For the operators that provide leasing and management services, we will use our evaluation mechanism.

While subletting and managing rental housing may not be able to replace government-built social housing, it is considered an important supplementary measure. However, how to ensure that vulnerable people can rent and live stably remains a policy challenge.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#Taiwanhousing #socialhousing #rentals #rentersrights #housing

2026-07-08

Banks open doors, insurers offer heat protection to combat extreme temperatures

As summers get hotter by the year, more businesses are opening their doors to offer relief from the heat. Last year, convenience stores began telling people they could come in to cool off, and this year First Bank has set up indoor cooling stations with air conditioning, drinking water, seating, and restrooms, and you don’t even have to be a customer to gain access. Meanwhile, a life insurance company is offering Taiwan’s first policy that covers heat-related injuries.

Chou Jung-hsuan
FTV reporter
Summer is incredibly hot this year, making walking down the street like torture. In addition to being able to cool off in convenience stores’ AC, First Bank also set up indoor cooling stations.

In response to the extreme heat, the Ministry of Environment launched a “cool map” listing 9,192 cooling spots as of June, including convenience stores, public facilities, shaded areas, and now banks.

Member of public
Likes the idea
I think it’s a good idea in general, but due to their location, people still might not think to go.

Member of public
Loves the idea
I think it’s great! Summer is so hot most of the time, so if there’s a place for people to cool off, I think it’s a good thing.

Voice of Hung Hsiu-ching
Bank employee
We already have safety and security measures in place for our banks’ main halls. If banks determine they can provide people with a place to cool off while maintaining operational safety and order, they will make that assessment themselves.

As extreme heat becomes increasingly common, a life insurance company introduced an insurance policy for heat-related injuries, offering payouts to vulnerable groups who suffer heat-related harm.

Wang Hsin-li
Insurance broker
In the past, products to address high temperatures included accident insurance, life insurance, and accidental medical coverage, but their scope of protection was somewhat limited. Nan Shan Life Insurance’s willingness to design a product like this can provide significant help to vulnerable groups.

Businesses are introducing their own strategies in response to the dangers posed by climate change, helping people adapt to the warming environment.

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

#heat #hot #extremeheat #climatechange #summer #heatstroke #heatwave #bank #cool #coolmap #insurance #heatinsurance

2026-07-08

Hsinchu borough has highest average household income in Taiwan

2026-07-08

Former Hong Kong-style chef makes unique night market dumplings

The Zhongxiao Road Night Market in Taichung’s South District is a haven for foodies. Here, you will find a delicious soup dumpling eatery. The owner, a former Hong Kong-style restaurant chef, has created a unique dipping sauce made of peeled chili peppers. There’s also delectable shrimp siu mai and Golden Lava Balls overflowing with egg yolk custard. Let’s go for a visit.

A crate of piping hot soup dumplings is being served. Delicious juices ooze with just one bite.

I look forward to tasting the broth. We try to catch the broth with the spoon.

The broth goes well with shredded ginger.

Pierce open the soup dumpling and the broth overflows. The filling is generous, the skin is thin, and the flavor is fresh. The peeled chili pepper flavor offers a subversive twist on traditional expectations. The shrimp siu mai features a perfectly chewy wrapper; bite into it, and the shrimp inside has a delightfully snappy texture, bursting with the flavor of the sea.

Tseng Tsai-fu
Zhongxiao Road Night Market
His peeled chili peppers are really delicious, and there is plenty of broth and ingredients. It was like enjoying a high-quality restaurant meal at the night market.

Tseng Tsai-hsi
Zhongxiao Road Night Market
Combined with their special spicy mix, it takes it to the next level.

The night market’s soup dumplings attract huge crowds. The main selling point is that the dumplings are made to order, then prepared on the spot and steamed fresh. The shop has a transparent display window, allowing customers to watch the dumplings being made live.

Cheng Keng-ming
Dumpling eatery owner
The work area is enclosed by glass so everyone can observe the process. The food is made to order, and although it’s a night market, we want to offer our customers the most sincere and dedicated service.

Not only are the soup dumplings tempting, but the Golden Lava Balls are also a specialty of the store. The outer skin is fried until it’s golden and crispy. When you pull them open, the Golden Lava filling bursts out and just keeps on flowing.

Tseng Tsai-hsi
Zhongxiao Road Night Market
The owner said he went to quite a few (Hong Kong-style restaurants) to learn from their experiences.

The Zhongxiao Road Night Market in Taichung’s South District is a hidden gem of culinary delights. The owner of the soup dumpling shop used to work in a Hong Kong-style restaurant before returning to his hometown to open his own business, starting from a roadside stall to running an eatery.

Cheng Keng-ming
Dumpling eatery owner
The eateries here are actually full of hidden talents; they might have been head chefs at restaurants before retiring and opening their own businesses.

This night market offers affordable yet top-notch food made with high-quality ingredients, making it a highlight of a Taichung trip.

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

#nightmarkets #Taichungtourism #soupdumplings #suimai #Taichungeateries

2026-07-08

Experts and officials from16 countries attend International Ocean Forum

Top officials and think tank experts from 16 countries gathered in Taipei on Wednesday for the opening of this year’s edition of the Taiwan International Ocean Forum. This year, the event will focus on maritime affairs related to economic resilience, strategic stability and international cooperation. At the opening ceremony, Ocean Affairs Council Minister Kuan Bi-ling delivered a speech that addressed China’s launch of coast guard patrols into waters off the east coast of Taiwan. She urged for cooperation among democracies to counter Beijing’s increased gray-zone provocations. This is what she had to say.

Kuan Bi-ling
Ocean Affairs Council
When an isolated incident happens, it doesn’t trigger an international crisis. When tensions escalate, we don’t consider it the start of war. But cumulatively, these constant incidents give rise to a new normal. As democratic partners, we must effectively and jointly prepare and coordinate response mechanisms.

Raymond Sung
Ocean Affairs Council
I think that China is pursuing expansionism under the guise of law enforcement. If that is the case, and China is doing so illegally, then the critical issue would be to formulate a joint response as part of the international community and as allies. China’s so-called law enforcement is actually just expansionism.

Tammy Duckworth
US Senator
China is trying to establish new norms that are not in compliance with what the international order has agreed to and ratified on a global basis. And we cannot allow them to do that because they will continue to push forward.

Also condemning China’s actions at the event was US Senator Tammy Duckworth, an outspoken supporter of Taiwan. Besides slamming China’s expansionism, she called for deeper strategic cooperation among democratic partners to build a resilient and solid chain to safeguard peace in the Indo-Pacific.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#marine #maritime #peace #indopacific #internationallaw

2026-07-08

Leisure farm, beekeeper keep their animals safe before Typhoon Bavi

Typhoon Bavi is gaining power on its approach to Taiwan, as it slows down and expands. Bavi is expected to be closest to Taiwan on Friday and Saturday, and the Central Weather Administration now says there is a chance it could make landfall in Taiwan’s Northeast Coast. As the storm draws closer, a beekeeper in the mountains of Keelung is moving his 120-plus bee boxes down a mountain, while a leisure farm in Yilan is making preparations to keep its animals safe and take flood prevention measures.

As Typhoon Bavi approaches Taiwan, staff at Yilan Animal Kingdom are hard at work, digging ditches to prevent flooding. They will also put away all the canopy tents outdoor, so the animal kingdom doesn’t get blown away by the gales.

Chao Fei
Yilan Animal Kingdom
This time we’re adding reinforced steel before covering the exterior with wooden planks. It’s to prevent the wooden planks from getting blown away when the typhoon comes. The most important thing is drainage. We have about 20 to 30 dry wells and ditches to tend to before the typhoon. We’ve gotten around to half of them now, and we’ll continue with the rest tomorrow.

Staff at the leisure farm are making preparations to avoid flooding, before the typhoon hits, making sure that every precaution is taken. The farm will also arrange for staff members to stand guard when the typhoon arrives, for the animals’ safety.

Chao Fei
Yilan Animal Kingdom
Speaking of the animals, indoor animals will stay indoors, naturally, and there will be staff on duty. As for outdoor animals, of course, they’ll go indoors during a typhoon, and staff on duty will watch over them.

The farm says that even though their architecture are designed to withstand Force 17 winds, they still get worried every time there’s a typhoon. Meanwhile, over in Keelung’s Qidu Township, a beekeeper up in Malingjian is also rushing to move more than 120 bee boxes. Because honey is only collected once a year, the beekeeper is taking no chances.

Chang Ching-po
Beekeeper
I keep my boxes on terraced fields. I place about three to five boxes on each step. The worse to happen during a typhoon is for the boxes to get blown away. We’re at the mercy of the weather. Every time there’s news that there’ll be a typhoon, I’ll move the bee boxes to the lowest level. They must be fastened securely on both the front and back, and stabilized with a large rock on top.

The beekeeper carries each 40kg box downhill, before fastening them shut with a wire and adding weight on the lid with a large block. He’s taking no chances with the strongest typhoon so far this year.

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

#typhoon #weather #typhoonbavi #stormalert #巴威颱風

2026-07-08

ITRI develops AI-powered precision fish feeding software

Raising fish in aquaculture isn’t as simple as just feeding them. Giving too much feed doesn’t just incur waste, it also pollutes the water. Luckily, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI, has a solution. With input from farmers, ITRI has developed an AI-powered precision feeding software that feeds the fish just enough, for bigger and better yields while saving on production costs. Let’s take it look.

Pingtung’s Fangliao Township is the country’s grouper kingdom. Farmers all wish that their prized dragon-tiger groupers will grow as quickly as possible. It used to be hard to tell whether the fish is well-fed, but not anymore, thanks to a new AI software.

Chen Jhih-ren
ITRI Smart Sensing & Systems Technology Center
With smart sensing, we can determine whether the fish has eaten enough. Our feeding mechanism, which is automated and AI-powered, can feed the fish just enough.

Chiang Kun-lung
Fish farm owner
In the past, I’d had to check on the fish every now and then. I also needed people on every shift, all that stuff. Now, all I have to do is check my phone and take a look at the data.

The farm can be monitored in real-time with a smartphone, thanks to an AI-powered precision fish-feeding software developed by the Industrial Technology Research Institute, or ITRI.

Chen Jhih-ren
ITRI Smart Sensing & Systems Technology Center
Fish feed roughly accounts for at least 50% of the cost of fish farming. Our smart feeding software prevents feed waste. We’re mentoring farmers of five main economic fish breeds.

Chiang Kun-lung
Fish farm owner
It allows higher density of fish and lowers our costs, which shows the importance of precise data for us.

ITRI has trained and developed an AI software with input from fish farmers, allowing them to save on feed consumption and labor costs, while increasing yield of better quality. It has been tested in several fish farms so far, benefitting farmers and showcasing the success of precision aquaculture.

For more Taiwan news, tune in:
Mon to Fri at 9:30 pm on Channel 152
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#aquaculture #fishfarms #grouper #seafood #fish

2026-07-08

72-year-old woman alive after crash sets leaky scooter on fire

It was nothing short of a miracle when a 72-year-old scooter driver made a narrow escape from a traffic accident in New Taipei on Tuesday morning. The scooter crashed into a big truck that was making a right turn. It fell to the ground and caught fire within seconds, likely due to a punctured gas tank. People quickly came to the rescue and pulled the driver out of the blaze. The truck driver got out of the vehicle and put out the fire with an extinguisher. The scooter driver sustained burns on many parts of her body, but is fortunately alive.

The lorry is turning right at the light when… Bang! A scooter crashes straight into its side, sending the driver to the ground. Within seconds, the scooter is ablaze. What’s worse is that the driver, a woman in her 70s, is pinned under the vehicle inside the fireball.

A traffic warden and a volunteer rush to the rescue, while the truck driver himself runs over with a large extinguisher to put out the blaze. The foam and smoke engulf the entire road.

Hung Chiao-hsuan
FTV reporter
The accident took place at a main thoroughfare near a popular American retailer. This place is always busy with commuters and truck drivers, making it a crash hotspot.

Member of public
Concerned about crash
I often see accidents here. At rush hour, it’s always jam-packed, and everyone is in a time crunch. There’s tons of cars and motorbikes.

Member of public
Concerned about crash
If you’re driving a car, it could take you half an hour to get over here from the Oriental Science Park. You’re stuck in traffic for 20, 30 minutes.

The crash happened past 7 on Tuesday morning, at Xintaiwu Road in Xizhi District. Police believe the cause was failure to account for the turning radius of the truck, and the scooter’s location in a blind spot. As the truck driver, Mr. Su, turned right onto the highway, his vehicle collided with the scooter rider Ms. Wu, aged 72. The scooter’s fuel tank ruptured and caught fire as it scraped against the ground. Ms. Wu sustained burns on her face, torso and legs, but was conscious when rescued.

Chang Chih-wei
Police officer
Our staff rushed over to pull out the rider, who was trapped under the burning scooter.

Fortunately, thanks to everyone’s quick thinking, the fire was put out, and the driver made it out of the crash alive.

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

#traffic #scooter #fire #fuel #leak

2026-07-08

Sports lottery rep who criticized Olympian apologizes after backlash

2026-07-08