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Ada Lee

Angela Meng

Taiwanese Premier Jiang Yi-huah has announced an overhaul of pipelines across the island after a series of deadly explosions in the southern city of Kaohsiung claimed 28 lives and injured more than 300.
He said a comprehensive review of the city's underground pipelines would take place, including their design and management.
The Ministry of Economic Affairs will compile all relevant information regarding underground pipelines to help assess which ones should be moved.
Reconstruction efforts following the blast would cost about NT$1.9 billion (HK$492 million), the city government said yesterday.
Watch: Rescue continues after deadly gas explosions in Taiwan's Kaohsiung

Meanwhile LCY Chemical, owner of the pipeline that caused the accident on Friday, said it never inspected the pipeline because it "did not have the keys".
A spokeswoman for LCY said the pipeline was designed and constructed by state-owned CPC Corporation. Construction was completed in 1994.
LCY paid for the design and construction, but CPC was responsible for the maintenance, the spokeswoman said. "We don't even have the keys to the tunnel for maintenance."
CPC, however, said it was LCY's responsibility to maintain the pipeline after it was handed over to the company.
In a statement, CPC said it did not have a maintenance contract with LCY. "The pipeline is LCY's property. It has the right to use it, and it has the responsibility to maintain it," it said.
Kaohsiung Mayor Chen Chu estimated that reconstruction of the damaged roads would cost NT$1.2 billion.
She urged the Taipei government to tell Kaohsiung residents exactly where underground pipelines were located.
"Only in this way can we protect the residents," she said. "People here have the right to know."
Shen Jong-chin, the vice-minister of economic affairs , said the petrochemical industry should submit information on the distribution of pipelines near the disaster area to the ministry within a week, adding that the details should be clear and prcise.
The LCY spokeswoman said the company had bought insurance, but the amount was small. She would not reveal the actual sum. "But affected parties shouldn't worry," she said. "If the investigation finds it was indeed our fault, we would compensate them anyhow."
Yesterday, rescue workers continued to search for survivors and bodies using their bare hands, shovels and other small tools, to avoid the possibility of triggering further explosions.
 


Owners never inspected Taiwan gas pipeline that exploded because they 'didn't have the keys'

Workers clear debris from an intersection in Kaohsiung. Two firefighters are still missing from the explosions that killed at least 28 people.  Photo: XInhua


Residents attempt to cross the street in Kaohsiung while workmen begin clearing the devastation caused by the pipeline explosions. Photo: CNA

Workers clear debris from an intersection in Kaohsiung. Two firefighters are still missing from the explosions that killed at least 28 people.  Photo: CNA

A relative of a victim cries as other relatives pray at the site of a gas explosion. Photo: AFP

Taiwan President orders island-wide pipeline check after deadly Kaohsiung explosions

Ma Ying-jeou inspects the site of the disaster. Photo: AFP

Workers inspect a damaged store. Photo: CNA

Relatives pay respect to the dead. Photo: Ada Lee

Workers inspect a hole. Photo: Ada Lee

The search for survivors, including two firefighters, continues on Saturday. Photo: Ada Lee


Rubble separates the sides of the roads following the gas blast. Photo: Ada Lee

Charred pieces of firefighters’ uniforms were found at the scene on Saturday as two officers remained missing. Photo: Ada Lee

Relatives makes offerings and burn joss sticks at the scene. Photo: Ada Lee

Volunteers distribute food, water and daily necessities to displaced residents. Photo: Ada Lee

News

China

Construction company and owner deny responsibility after 28 killed


Taiwanese Premier Jiang Yi-huah has announced an overhaul of pipelines across the island after a series of deadly explosions in the southern city of Kaohsiung claimed 28 lives and injured more than 300.
