TAIPEI (Taiwan News) —  A family of three was swept out to sea near Taoyuan’s Zhuwei Fishing Port at around 6 p.m. on Saturday (July 29).

Taoyuan City Fire Department received an emergency notice on the 119 hotline that a family playing on the beach had been pulled 80 meters out to sea by waves and a strong current, and were unable to return to shore. A rescue operation was immediately mobilized, including boats and ambulances, in case of a medical emergency.

The police dispatched personnel and boats, which were successful in rescuing all three members of the Chen (陳) family. Fortunately, the three people were not seriously injured and were not sent to the hospital, per CNA.

Firefighters reached the beach and deployed a boat to search for the missing family at about 6:45 p.m. The family was ultimately located in the ocean at about 7:11 p.m. and successfully brought to the shore at around 7:25 p.m.

The three individuals included a 66-year-old man surnamed Chen, a 34-year-old woman surnamed Chen, and a 7-year-old boy surnamed Tseng (曾). The relationships of the three individuals were reported to be father, daughter, and grandson.

Upon reaching shore, the family was sent to the Coast Guard’s Zhuwei Security Checkpoint for observation. Medical personnel assessed the family as being in good health, with none of the three individuals requiring emergency medical treatment. 

A total of 17 firefighters, one volunteer firefighter, one boat, four fire trucks, and three ambulances were mobilized for the rescue operation.

Firefighters remind the public that the coastal waters near Zhuwei Fishing Port are not suitable for water recreation. Citizens are advised to seek out public beaches specially designated for swimming with lifeguards on duty to avoid accidents.