TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — One woman has died and four other people were injured after the walkway to a scenic viewing platform gave way on Wednesday (Nov. 13).
At around 4 p.m., a three-meter-high wooden walkway next to the Fumei Suspension Bridge in Alishan Township's Shanmei Village suddenly collapsed, causing five people to fall, per CNA. Chiayi County Fire Department received a call at 4:35 p.m. reporting multiple injuries at a pavilion near the Shanzhimei restaurant in Alishan Township.
The injured were taken to Chia-Yi Christian Hospital and St. Martin de Porres Hospital. Among them, a 76-year-old woman surnamed Liao (廖) suffered a fatal head injury, while the other four victims were in stable condition.
A person traveling with those injured said they were part of a group of 44 visitors from Miaoli who came to tour Alishan. The tourist said the incident occurred as group members walked before dinner to the platform to enjoy the scenic view.
Upon receiving the news, Chiayi County Magistrate Weng Chang-liang (翁章梁) instructed the county's Culture and Tourism Bureau to assist the Alishan Township Office and the victims’ families with follow-up medical care.
The Culture and Tourism Bureau said the platform was built with donations from Taiwan's Red Cross Society after Typhoon Morakot and was handed over to the Alishan Township Office for management in May 2011. Police are investigating the exact cause of the accident.
