A firefighter yesterday died after falling into New Taipei City's Xindian River when a rescue dinghy capsized during a search mission for a man who was later found dead.
The New Taipei City Fire Department said that it received a report at 4:12pm that a 50-year-old man, surnamed Chen (陳), had fallen into the river.
A 32-year-old firefighter, surnamed Wu (吳), was among the rescuers deployed to look for Chen, the fire department said, adding that he and five other rescue personnel were in the dinghy when it capsized.
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Fire Department via CNA
Wu had no vital signs after being pulled from the water to the riverbank. He was rushed to Cardinal Tien Hospital in Xindian District (新店), but was pronounced dead after doctors spent two hours attempting to revive him, the fire department said.
Chen was found sometime after 5pm, also with no signs of life, and was later pronounced dead, it said.
The other four rescue personnel who were in the dinghy when it capsized were hospitalized after being pulled from the water, it said.
Photo: CNA
A 34-year-old volunteer firefighter, surnamed Tsao (曹), and a 36-year-old professional firefighter, surnamed Chang (張), were found unresponsive, but were resuscitated at Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital and are no longer in a critical condition, local police said.
New Taipei City Mayor Hou You-yi (侯友宜), who visited Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital at about 6pm, said that the section of the silt dam where the incident occurred was not open to the public and was considered particularly dangerous.
All rescue workers involved were properly trained and equipped, the fire department said, adding that it was regrettable that the river's strong current had hindered the operation.
The fire department would assist Wu's family with funeral arrangements, it said.
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