TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Rusty nails and construction waste were left by a contractor at Taichung’s Daan Beach, posing a safety risk to beach goers, media reports said.
DPP city councilors said they were informed that a contractor building a concrete viewing platform at the beach had discarded nails into the ocean and nearby beaches. Despite repeated requests to rectify the situation, the city government had yet to take action, per UDN.
The city government has asked the contractor to inspect and clean up the area. A city representative also said the local government would assist injured tourists in making compensation claims.
The DPP Taichung City Council caucus said the city spent NT$30 million (US$994,000) to build a Daan Beach viewing platform and walkway. However, a netizen said that after construction, nails were found on the beach and in the water.
One person reported bleeding after stepping on a nail in the water. A lifeguard said visitors continue to get injured by construction waste, adding that it was not the first time tourists were scratched by nails.
DPP Taichung City Councilor Wang Li-jen (王立任) said he contacted the injured person when he saw the news. He was surprised to find bags full of rusty nails, stagnant water, and other sharp construction waste by the beach.
Wang said the city should close off the area and erect warning signs. None of these actions were undertaken, leading the city councilor to worry that municipal authorities may be protecting the contractor.
DPP Taichung City Councilor Chen Ya-hui (陳雅惠) called the matter negligence and a public safety risk. Chen called for more accountability and the establishment of a maintenance mechanism.
The area's management office said the viewing platform and walkway were completed in April, though some construction material has yet to be removed. The city government made these findings on April 18 and asked the manufacturer to make improvements. It put up warning signs, with another inspection passed in early May.
The contractor has been asked to conduct yet another inspection. It has also been required to use a large magnetic suction machine to check for metal objects 50 centimeters below the beach.
Furthermore, a letter was sent to the Cabinet’s Public Construction Commission, which may prevent the company from future government contracts, as well as a payment deduction. Tourists injured by construction waste can contact Taichung City’s Tourism Bureau for assistance with insurance claims.
Two people have reported such injuries so far.
