TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Emergency responders took four employees from chipmaker Micron to the hospital Thursday afternoon following a gas leak at the company’s Houli plant.
After a call came in at 3:25 p.m. reporting a gas leak, Taichung Fire Department sent seven firetrucks and 18 firefighters to the scene, per CNA. The responders set up a perimeter around the plant’s chemical storage unit on Section 4 of Sanfeng Road in Houli District.
Four employees, all conscious but vomiting, were taken to the Wuci Tung General Hospital and the Dajia Kuang‑Tian Hospital. They remain there under observation.
Initial reports indicate the release of a white gas related to the production process, with the gas leak sealed by Micron’s internal response team. Firefighters used water to decontaminate.
The four affected employees, working in cleaning and security, were near a pipeline at the time but did not directly handle chemicals.
Authorities ordered a suspension of operations and dispatched investigators. The plant is not expected to resume operations until the investigation concludes, though ongoing production remains unaffected for now.
Micron’s senior leadership will convene a meeting with the Central Taiwan Science Park Administration to assess the fallout and strengthen safety protocols. If violations are found, the company could face fines of up to NT$300,000.
