Fire at Kaohsiung Gangshan Factory Prompts Calls for City-Wide Inspection by Taiwan State Power and Other Parties

Central News Agency Report

(CNA reporter Tsai Meng-yu, Kaohsiung, June 15) A fire occurred on June 12 at a factory on Bengong 5th Road in Gangshan District, Kaohsiung City. Political parties including Taiwan State Power called on the city government to immediately launch comprehensive inspections and joint enforcement actions, citing the company's history of repeated environmental violations. The city government responded that joint inspections have commenced today.

A warehouse at a factory in the Bonzhou Industrial Zone, Gangshan District, caught fire recently, emitting thick black smoke. Environmental Bureau inspectors found that improper management likely caused heavy oil and a large number of used bulk bags to ignite, resulting in pollution. The company has been fined and ordered to suspend operations.

Today, Taiwan State Power and the Xiao Min Canzheng Oba-san Alliance held a press conference, stating that the company is a hazardous industrial waste processor. Since 2008, it has accumulated 15 environmental violations and fines totaling NT$1.336 million, yet continues to win government contracts worth over NT$320 million.

Wang Yi-heng, Director of the Kaohsiung branch of Taiwan State Power, stated that these penalties are insignificant to the company. He urged the Kaohsiung City Government to conduct a thorough investigation of related businesses, especially repeat offenders, and to strengthen inspections and list them on a high-risk monitoring register.

Yu Hsien-ling, a city council candidate from the Xiao Min Canzheng Oba-san Alliance running in the Cianjhen and Siaogang districts, demanded that the city government properly exercise its inspection authority. She called for public disclosure of air and water pollution monitoring data, community health risk assessments for Gangshan, Lukang, and Alian, as well as the waste treatment sites, transportation routes, and inspection results of businesses in Siaogang.

In response, the Kaohsiung City Government stated that the Environmental Protection Bureau has coordinated with the Fire Department, Economic Development Bureau, Labor Bureau, Construction Management Office, and Police Department to conduct joint inspections in the Dafa Industrial Zone in Daliao District and the Bonzhou Industrial Zone in Gangshan District. The inspections are ongoing, and results will be reported to the public upon completion.

The Environmental Protection Bureau stated that the inspection focuses include the storage and disposal of industrial waste, accuracy of waste declaration records, operation and maintenance of pollution control equipment, and compliance with environmental regulations. (Edited by Chang Ya-ching) 1150615

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