Environmental Bureau Conducts Cleaning and Disinfection; Keelung Miaokou Closed on June 2

Keelung, June 2 (CNA) The Keelung Environmental Protection Bureau conducted drainage cleaning and disinfection at the Miaokou night market today, with vendors closing for the day to cooperate. Some tourists arrived unaware of the closure, but the vendor association stated that they had announced the closure via LED displays a month ago. Wang Yung-han, head of the cleaning team, noted that Miaokou is a famous food street where oil pollution is inevitable. The bureau deployed 40 personnel and cleaning vehicles this morning, removing six truckloads of sludge by noon, with at least 10 expected in total. Disinfection of surrounding areas will follow. Hsieh Wen-hsien, representative of the Miaokou vendor association, clarified that this is not due to a rodent infestation but a routine annual cleaning in May or June to ensure sanitation and flood safety. He noted that the effectiveness has been significant, with no flooding incidents during typhoons in recent years. Hsieh mentioned that they previously cleaned every eight months but switched to annually as the sludge accumulation was minimal. The association also conducts self-funded rodent control. Only a few stalls will open this afternoon. Additionally, DPP City Councilor Wu Hua-chia raised the issue of rodents at the Erxin Loop Station during a general interpellation, noting that citizens have complained about the unsanitary conditions and odors, with netizens jokingly calling it a 'Mickey Mouse Party.' Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang responded that he would instruct the Environmental Protection Bureau and the Bus Management Office to inspect and improve the site, and would issue a press release regarding the city's response.