Hualien Guangfu 'Shovel Superman Museum' Opens, Recreating Flood Rescue Scene
To commemorate the severe flood disaster in Guangfu Township, Hualien in September 2025, the International Rotary Club and Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) have established the 'Shovel Superman Museum' at the Guangfu Sugar Factory. Opened on June 6, 2026, the museum displays over 300 donated shovels, more than 2,100 images, and 97 'Superman Train Tickets', recreating the rescue scene where over 500,000 volunteers participated, preserving the spirit of unity and compassion.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: June 6, 2026 at 15:16
- 🔍 Collected: June 6, 2026 at 15:34 (18 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 16:25 (51 min after Collected)
Key news on the Hualien flood disaster.
(CNA reporter Zhang Qi, Hualien County, 6th) Last year, numerous volunteers from across Taiwan poured into the Guangfu disaster area for rescue efforts, creating one of Taiwan's warmest memories. To commemorate this history, the International Rotary Club and Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) have collaborated to establish the 'Shovel Superman Museum' at the Hualien Guangfu Sugar Factory. The museum displays collected tools, photographs, and clothing, recreating the rescue scene.
On September 23, 2025, the Mat'an River barrier lake overflowed, with floodwaters carrying mud and silt breaching the embankment and rushing into Guangfu Township, resulting in a severe disaster with 19 deaths and 5 missing persons. Over 500,000 volunteers, military personnel, and NGO workers joined the relief efforts over approximately 20 days following the disaster. They were dubbed 'Shovel Supermen' and collectively helped remove 400,000 tons of mud that had inundated Guangfu Township.
To ensure this history is not forgotten, the International Rotary Club and TSC established the 'Shovel Superman Museum' at the Guangfu Sugar Factory. Through an online campaign, they collected over 300 rescue shovels, more than 2,100 images and videos, and 97 'Superman Train Tickets'. The museum opened today in Warehouse No. 3 of the TSC Hualien Guangfu Sugar Factory Park.
The exhibition area in Warehouse No. 3 covers approximately 80 ping and is divided into four main themes: a 120-second landscape theater retrospective video, an object exhibition and reflection area, a TSC local engagement area, and an online digital museum featuring thousands of rescue images.
Curator Gui Yawen stated that the two-week online campaign to collect items from the 'Shovel Supermen' received an enthusiastic response. Volunteers donated tools used during the rescue and wrote blessings, aiming to 'let the objects tell the story'. One person donated a phone strap, saying, 'This was the item closest to my heart's affection for this place during the rescue,' which moved her to tears.
The exhibition area uses mud for landscaping and stacks rescue tools. A volunteer surnamed Shi, who served as a 'Shovel Superman', said the displays, rain boots, shovels, and photos brought back vivid memories of last year's rescue efforts. He tried to find the spot where he helped shovel mud in an aerial photo, stating the scene was still fresh in his mind.
International Rotary Club District 3490 Governor Zhang Huanzhang stated that this collective display of warmth, unity, and love is a historical event that should not be forgotten. Therefore, they connected 12 Rotary Clubs from different regions to establish the 'Shovel Superman Museum' to pass on this selfless spirit.
TSC Vice President Zeng Jianzhan said that the TSC Hualien Guangfu plant is near the disaster area and has continuously provided rescue and reconstruction assistance since the disaster. He stated they will do their best to cooperate on land, venue space, and supplies as needed. TSC will take over the management of the newly established 'Shovel Superman Museum', allowing volunteers to visit and reminisce when they return to Guangfu. (Editor: Huang Mingxi) 1150606
(CNA reporter Zhang Qi, Hualien County, 6th) Last year, numerous volunteers from across Taiwan poured into the Guangfu disaster area for rescue efforts, creating one of Taiwan's warmest memories. To commemorate this history, the International Rotary Club and Taiwan Sugar Corporation (TSC) have collaborated to establish the 'Shovel Superman Museum' at the Hualien Guangfu Sugar Factory. The museum displays collected tools, photographs, and clothing, recreating the rescue scene.
On September 23, 2025, the Mat'an River barrier lake overflowed, with floodwaters carrying mud and silt breaching the embankment and rushing into Guangfu Township, resulting in a severe disaster with 19 deaths and 5 missing persons. Over 500,000 volunteers, military personnel, and NGO workers joined the relief efforts over approximately 20 days following the disaster. They were dubbed 'Shovel Supermen' and collectively helped remove 400,000 tons of mud that had inundated Guangfu Township.
To ensure this history is not forgotten, the International Rotary Club and TSC established the 'Shovel Superman Museum' at the Guangfu Sugar Factory. Through an online campaign, they collected over 300 rescue shovels, more than 2,100 images and videos, and 97 'Superman Train Tickets'. The museum opened today in Warehouse No. 3 of the TSC Hualien Guangfu Sugar Factory Park.
The exhibition area in Warehouse No. 3 covers approximately 80 ping and is divided into four main themes: a 120-second landscape theater retrospective video, an object exhibition and reflection area, a TSC local engagement area, and an online digital museum featuring thousands of rescue images.
Curator Gui Yawen stated that the two-week online campaign to collect items from the 'Shovel Supermen' received an enthusiastic response. Volunteers donated tools used during the rescue and wrote blessings, aiming to 'let the objects tell the story'. One person donated a phone strap, saying, 'This was the item closest to my heart's affection for this place during the rescue,' which moved her to tears.
The exhibition area uses mud for landscaping and stacks rescue tools. A volunteer surnamed Shi, who served as a 'Shovel Superman', said the displays, rain boots, shovels, and photos brought back vivid memories of last year's rescue efforts. He tried to find the spot where he helped shovel mud in an aerial photo, stating the scene was still fresh in his mind.
International Rotary Club District 3490 Governor Zhang Huanzhang stated that this collective display of warmth, unity, and love is a historical event that should not be forgotten. Therefore, they connected 12 Rotary Clubs from different regions to establish the 'Shovel Superman Museum' to pass on this selfless spirit.
TSC Vice President Zeng Jianzhan said that the TSC Hualien Guangfu plant is near the disaster area and has continuously provided rescue and reconstruction assistance since the disaster. He stated they will do their best to cooperate on land, venue space, and supplies as needed. TSC will take over the management of the newly established 'Shovel Superman Museum', allowing volunteers to visit and reminisce when they return to Guangfu. (Editor: Huang Mingxi) 1150606