In response to disasters
Taiwan faces natural disasters like typhoons and mudslides every year. However, this year it has been repeatedly hit by human-caused catastrophes.
On July 23, following Typhoon Matmo, TransAsia Airways Flight GE222, flying from Kaohsiung International Airport, missed the runway at Penghu’s Magong Airport and crashed into nearby houses, claiming 48 lives and seriously injuring 10 people.
It is uncertain who was at fault in this tragedy. It was a combination of the natural disaster and human error, but nature’s input was not the main reason it happened. The control tower said the weather conditions were fit for landing, so why did the experienced pilot need a second attempt?
Before the real reason for the crash could be determined, late on Thursday night last week, Greater Kaohsiung was rocked by gas pipeline explosions. The explosions were so powerful that they tossed around firefighters, pedestrians, residents, motorcycles and larger vehicles, as well as damaging buildings and tearing up streets. It left the harborside neighborhood looking like a scene from hell.
President Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) visited Kaohsiung on Saturday afternoon. He vowed a thorough examination of the pipelines and said a judicial investigation would determine who is liable.
Yes, it needs to be determined who is liable for the explosion. Was it arson or accident?
The blasts tore open a ditch along the streets exposing numerous pipelines right in front of houses and stores.
There were industrial pipes used by LCY Chemical Corp, China General Terminal and Distribution Corp, and China Petrochemical Development Corp to deliver colorless, odorless and flammable gas.
The pipes had been buried for decades. The Kaohsiung Fire Bureau does not have any documentation showing their locations. The firemen did not know it was propene, which is not so easily dispersed with water, rather than natural gas.
The central government controls the chemical industry’s resources, operations and tax revenue. After the accident, Ma’s office distanced the central government from responsibility and blamed the Greater Kaohsiung Government for not doing its job. Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu (陳菊) tirelessly coordinated a rescue operation, but it took Ma two days to reach the disaster area.
During the Sunflower movement, Ma dispatched thousands of police to repress the student-led demonstrators.
However, while Kaohsiung’s citizens suffered after the unexpected blasts, perhaps only a couple hundred military personnel were involved in the rescue.
The rescue work is ongoing and some firemen are still missing. The reconstruction work will almost certainly take years. To avoid further disaster caused by human error, or at least to minimize it, the following steps should be taken:
First, pipelines should be relocated. They are like a time-bomb or a landmine that could explode at any time, thus, they should be kept away from residential and commercial areas.
Second, the central government, which collects tax revenue, should be responsible for industrial safety.
Third, the local government should be well informed of where underground pipes are laid.
Fourth, the chemical industry should be in compliance with an up-to-date public safety code.
Fifth, all underground pipes should be re-examined, rebuilt or upgraded.
Sixth, recognition needs to be given to those who sacrificed their lives in the rescue operation, including firemen and reporters.
Seventh, airlines should have the right to call off flights due to bad weather.
Eighth, a system of checks and balances should be enforced.
Ninth, those who enjoy the benefits should be responsible for the security of an operation.
Tenth, neighborhood watches, public education of homeland security and industrial safety should be enforced.
John Hsieh
Hayward, California
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