TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A gas leak at a Taoyuan (桃園) factory prompted an emergency response on Wednesday (Nov. 13). Firefighters identified the leak as nitric acid gas from a waste liquid tank and successfully contained it.
Social media footage captured by residents showed orange-red gas continuously escaping from the site on Huanke Road (環科路) in Taoyuan's Guanyin District (觀音區). Authorities sent four fire trucks, one ambulance, and 11 firefighters to the scene.
The city's Department of Environmental Protection (環保局) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the incident, which was initially attributed to a tech company's nitric acid unloading process. Officials confirmed that inspectors and a technical team from the Ministry of Environment have been dispatched to assess the situation further.
Simulations indicated a northeast wind at a speed of 8 meters per second, potentially carrying the pungent odor to downwind areas. The department advised residents in affected areas, including two neighborhoods, Datun Li (大潭里) and Baosheng Li (保生里), to stay indoors, close windows and doors, and limit outdoor activities. They recommended wearing masks if venturing outside and urged sensitive groups to take extra precautions.
