Taiwanese mountaineer Chang Yuan-chih (張元植) has died after falling while hiking on the north face of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and in western Europe, his family confirmed yesterday.
The accident happened at about 7am on Thursday when Chang, 36, was hiking the Plan de l’Aiguille area, his mother and wife said in a statement.
Chang has passed away, they said, and thanked everyone for their messages of condolences.
Photo: Screen grab from Chang’s Facebook page
TRAVELING TO FRANCE
Chang’s mother and wife said they were making arrangements to travel to France to bring his remains back to Taiwan.
“We will inform relatives and friends about the details of Yuan-chih’s accident in due course. Thank you all for your concern and encouragement,” they said.
A Franceinfo news report said that a 36-year-old Taiwanese was found without vital signs by rescuers after he fell 250m down a slope when hiking up a “non- technical” stretch on the snowy northern side of the mountain with a friend on Thursday.
Chang had not yet started using a safety rope at the time of the accident, the report said, and his body and the survivor were subsequently transported to the DZ des Bois in the nearby town of Chamonix, the report said.
THIN LINE
Aware of the potential dangers of mountain climbing, Chang once wrote on his social media account that mountaineering is a dangerous sport that can lead to death, but because there is a thin line between mountaineering and death, it is different from other sports, and enables people to appreciate what life is about.
Taiwan’s representative office in France said its consular affairs section received confirmation of the identity of the deceased from authorities in Chamonix at about 9am on Thursday.
Chang’s family in Taiwan has been informed of the incident, the office said, adding that it would offer assistance to the family in dealing with the aftermath of Chang’s death.
Hong Kong singer Eason Chan’s (陳奕迅) concerts in Kaohsiung this weekend have been postponed after he was diagnosed with Covid-19 this morning, the organizer said today. Chan’s “FEAR and DREAMS” concert which was scheduled to be held in the coming three days at the Kaohsiung Arena would be rescheduled to May 29, 30 and 31, while the three shows scheduled over the next weekend, from May 23 to 25, would be held as usual, Universal Music said in a statement. Ticket holders can apply for a full refund or attend the postponed concerts with the same seating, the organizer said. Refund arrangements would
Taiwanese indie band Sunset Rollercoaster and South Korean outfit Hyukoh collectively received the most nominations at this year’s Golden Melody Awards, earning a total of seven nods from the jury on Wednesday. The bands collaborated on their 2024 album AAA, which received nominations for best band, best album producer, best album design and best vocal album recording. “Young Man,” a single from the album, earned nominations for song of the year and best music video, while another track, “Antenna,” also received a best music video nomination. Late Hong Kong-American singer Khalil Fong (方大同) was named the jury award winner for his 2024 album
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
RSS