A deadly explosion at a chemical fiber plant in Hsinchu County early this morning has resulted in two fatalities and 19 injuries. The blast, believed to have been triggered by a gas leak, occurred at the Far Eastern New Century Corp plant in Sinpu Township around 3 a.m
An explosion early this morning at the Far Eastern New Century Corp chemical fiber plant in Hsinchu County has tragically claimed the lives of two employees and left 19 others injured. The blast occurred around 3 a.m. at the Cotton 6 North Plant in Sinpu Township. Emergency services quickly responded, with 29 fire trucks and 60 firefighters dispatched to the scene.
Authorities believe the explosion was triggered by a gas leak from a hot oil pipeline, though an official investigation is underway to confirm the cause. Despite the blaze being under control, firefighting efforts are still ongoing.
One of the victims, 35-year-old duty manager Tsai Pai-wei, was killed at the scene while investigating an internal fire alarm triggered by the blaze. Tsai, who had recently been promoted to engineer, had worked for the company for almost nine years. A second employee, 43-year-old engineer Chang Chun-yu, sustained critical injuries at the scene and later died in the hospital.
Far Eastern Group, the company that owns the plant, has pledged compensation for the families of the deceased and dispatched personnel to assist the injured. The company stated that all of its factories are equipped with fire detectors and automatic alarm systems, and the guardroom immediately notified plant personnel once the fire was detected.
However, this is not the first fire at this facility. The Hsinchu County Fire Bureau reports that five fires have occurred at the plant since 2019, raising concerns among local residents. Some have called the plant a "ticking time bomb," citing frequent explosions and unpleasant odors that have contributed to air pollution in the surrounding areas.
Labor rights advocate and Hsinchu County Councilor Luo Mei-wen, a former employee at the plant, suggested that the tragedy may have been caused by longstanding issues, including labor cuts, overworked staff, outdated equipment, and insufficient employee training.
The Hsinchu County Environmental Protection Bureau has conducted air quality testing in the area and issued warnings for nearby boroughs, advising residents to close windows and wear masks if they need to go outside.
Hsinchu County Commissioner Yang Wen-ke has expressed his condolences to the families of the victims and the community in a public statement.
Taiwan’s Maanshan Nuclear Power Plant in Pingtung County released large plumes of black smoke around 11:30 am local time, prompting a swift response from local fire authorities. The cause of the smoke remains unclear, and the situation is under investigation
TSMC to invest $100 Billion in U.S. chip manufacturing, President Trump announces from The White House
Taiwan’s defence ministry reported a notable increase in Chinese military maneuvers near the island’s southwestern coast on Tuesday, though officials stressed that no live-fire exercises were observed.
China's government on Wednesday accused Taiwan of "manipulating" potential Chinese involvement in the recent severing of an undersea communications cable before all the facts were known, as tensions continue to simmer in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwanese semiconductor company Vanguard International Semiconductor has cautioned that U.S. tariffs on imported chips could trigger inflation and hamper global economic growth, though the firm expects any direct impact on its business to be minimal.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for U.S. proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but insists that any agreement must address the root causes of the conflict to ensure lasting peace.
A U.S. judge has directed Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide records and answer questions about their federal spending reduction efforts. The order stems from a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, alleging constitutional violations by Musk.
Foreign ministers from the world’s leading democracies meet in Canada to navigate rising tensions with the U.S., as Trump’s policies on Ukraine, tariffs, and Russia spark divisions. Diplomats seek common ground while confronting Washington's unpredictability.
The UK has withdrawn accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, requiring them to leave the country, following the expulsion of two British officials from Russia on Monday.
The EU Commission is set to propose key defense projects to boost Europe’s military capabilities, as outlined in a draft white paper, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states.
Italy’s League party urges the government to favour Starlink over French-led Eutelsat for satellite communication systems, citing Starlink's technological edge. The push comes amid delays in the EU’s IRIS² program, as Italy seeks secure communication solutions for officials.
XPeng Motors plans to mass-produce flying cars by 2026, becoming the first company globally to do so. CEO He Xiaopeng also highlighted advancements in autonomous driving and humanoid robotics as part of the company’s future tech initiatives.
World leaders welcomed the 30-day ceasefire proposal that Ukraine has agreed to, calling it a step toward ending the conflict with Russia.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is set to condemn Trump’s Gaza “Riviera” plan, backing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. A classified draft resolution, rejects the relocation of Gazans, calls for urgent international support, and mobilises opposition to the U.S. stance.
In Tuesday’s closely watched parliamentary election, Greenland’s pro-business opposition Demokraatit party took a commanding lead after over 90% of the ballots were counted.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for U.S. proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but insists that any agreement must address the root causes of the conflict to ensure lasting peace.
A U.S. judge has directed Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide records and answer questions about their federal spending reduction efforts. The order stems from a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, alleging constitutional violations by Musk.
Foreign ministers from the world’s leading democracies meet in Canada to navigate rising tensions with the U.S., as Trump’s policies on Ukraine, tariffs, and Russia spark divisions. Diplomats seek common ground while confronting Washington's unpredictability.
The UK has withdrawn accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, requiring them to leave the country, following the expulsion of two British officials from Russia on Monday.
The EU Commission is set to propose key defense projects to boost Europe’s military capabilities, as outlined in a draft white paper, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed support for U.S. proposals for a ceasefire in Ukraine, but insists that any agreement must address the root causes of the conflict to ensure lasting peace.
A U.S. judge has directed Elon Musk and his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to provide records and answer questions about their federal spending reduction efforts. The order stems from a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, alleging constitutional violations by Musk.
Foreign ministers from the world’s leading democracies meet in Canada to navigate rising tensions with the U.S., as Trump’s policies on Ukraine, tariffs, and Russia spark divisions. Diplomats seek common ground while confronting Washington's unpredictability.
The UK has withdrawn accreditation for a Russian diplomat and a diplomatic spouse, requiring them to leave the country, following the expulsion of two British officials from Russia on Monday.
The EU Commission is set to propose key defense projects to boost Europe’s military capabilities, as outlined in a draft white paper, aiming to strengthen cooperation among member states.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment