Male Student Drowns in Jinlun River; Locals Warned of Danger on the 17th, Accident Occurs on the 18th
A 17-year-old student tragically drowned while playing in the Jinlun River in Taitung County. The site was undergoing dredging work creating a 5m deep pool, a hazard locals had warned about just a day prior.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 22:21
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 22:31 (10 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 22:56 (24 min after Collected)
Central News Agency (Reporter Lu Tai-cheng, Taitung County, 18th) - A 17-year-old male student surnamed Huang accidentally drowned while playing in the water at the Jinlun River in Taimali Township, Taitung County this afternoon, and was pronounced dead at the hospital. Local residents had just yesterday urged relevant authorities that the site could cause an accident; unexpectedly, the tragedy occurred today.
The Taitung County Fire Department stated this evening that a regrettable drowning accident occurred this afternoon at the Jinlun River in Taimali Township. The 17-year-old student, Huang, went playing in the water near Qianzailun Bridge in Jinlun Village with his cousin. He accidentally drowned and sank into the water. Despite full rescue efforts by the fire department and being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead in the early evening. The Taitung County Fire Department expressed deep regret and sternly urged the public to only swim in safe areas as summer approaches.
The Fire Department stated that they received a report at 2:58 PM today that people witnessed a drowning incident near the Jinlun Cemetery. The department immediately dispatched the Jinfeng and Taimali branches, as well as the Dawu Battalion, sending a total of 9 police and firefighters equipped with lifeboats and rescue gear to the scene. It is understood that this was the first time Huang and his cousin had come to this water area to play. Neither was wearing a swimsuit, nor did they have safety equipment such as life jackets or life rings.
During the rescue, Zhang Zhe-rong, a member of the Jinfeng branch, wore a wetsuit and carried a rescue tube to dive where Huang sank. At 3:25 PM, they pulled Huang, who had sunk to the bottom, ashore. The patient was already in an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) state. Personnel on-site immediately administered CPR, and the Taimali advanced life support team was called in for relay rescue, after which he was rushed to Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, Huang was pronounced dead at 4:50 PM.
The Fire Department indicated that since Huang was still a student, they have simultaneously notified the County Government's Education Department, the Off-Campus Guidance Committee, and the Social Affairs Department to assist. These units have intervened and will help the family with follow-up relief, funeral arrangements, and counseling.
The river section where the accident occurred is currently undergoing emergency dredging, which has created small lakes, with the deepest part reaching 5 meters. Just yesterday, locals reported that without warning signs, accidents were likely. Nobody expected a tragedy to happen today.
The Taitung County Fire Department reminds everyone that a river environment is completely different from an indoor pool. Even seemingly calm water hides lethal risks. When playing outdoors, always go to qualified venues with lifeguards on duty. Never swim in prohibited areas or unmonitored dangerous waters to avoid lifelong regrets.
The Taitung County Fire Department stated this evening that a regrettable drowning accident occurred this afternoon at the Jinlun River in Taimali Township. The 17-year-old student, Huang, went playing in the water near Qianzailun Bridge in Jinlun Village with his cousin. He accidentally drowned and sank into the water. Despite full rescue efforts by the fire department and being rushed to the hospital, he was pronounced dead in the early evening. The Taitung County Fire Department expressed deep regret and sternly urged the public to only swim in safe areas as summer approaches.
The Fire Department stated that they received a report at 2:58 PM today that people witnessed a drowning incident near the Jinlun Cemetery. The department immediately dispatched the Jinfeng and Taimali branches, as well as the Dawu Battalion, sending a total of 9 police and firefighters equipped with lifeboats and rescue gear to the scene. It is understood that this was the first time Huang and his cousin had come to this water area to play. Neither was wearing a swimsuit, nor did they have safety equipment such as life jackets or life rings.
During the rescue, Zhang Zhe-rong, a member of the Jinfeng branch, wore a wetsuit and carried a rescue tube to dive where Huang sank. At 3:25 PM, they pulled Huang, who had sunk to the bottom, ashore. The patient was already in an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) state. Personnel on-site immediately administered CPR, and the Taimali advanced life support team was called in for relay rescue, after which he was rushed to Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, Huang was pronounced dead at 4:50 PM.
The Fire Department indicated that since Huang was still a student, they have simultaneously notified the County Government's Education Department, the Off-Campus Guidance Committee, and the Social Affairs Department to assist. These units have intervened and will help the family with follow-up relief, funeral arrangements, and counseling.
The river section where the accident occurred is currently undergoing emergency dredging, which has created small lakes, with the deepest part reaching 5 meters. Just yesterday, locals reported that without warning signs, accidents were likely. Nobody expected a tragedy to happen today.
The Taitung County Fire Department reminds everyone that a river environment is completely different from an indoor pool. Even seemingly calm water hides lethal risks. When playing outdoors, always go to qualified venues with lifeguards on duty. Never swim in prohibited areas or unmonitored dangerous waters to avoid lifelong regrets.