The Baixian Dust Explosion Triggers Public Safety Concerns; Tourism Bureau Launches Expanded Inspections Starting with Six Flags Amusement Park

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▲ Six Flags. (Photo / From the official fan page of Six Flags mascot Harpy)

Reporter Chen Ruizhong / Comprehensive Report

Around 8:40 PM on June 27, a dust explosion occurred at Baixian Amusement Park, resulting in nearly 500 casualties among visitors in a major public safety incident. In response, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications has launched its annual supervision, assessment, and competition for all tourist attractions and amusement parks across Taiwan starting today (July 6), with the first expanded inspection targeting Six Flags Theme Park.

The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that Six Flags Theme Park covers an area of approximately 73 hectares, attracting over one million visitors annually, especially during long holidays and school breaks, making it a highly popular theme park. According to the inspection results submitted by Hsinchu County Government at the end of April for the first half of the year, the park met the criteria outlined in the competition guidelines and was included as a subject for the annual supervision, assessment, and inspection.

Today, the inspection was led by Deputy Director Zhang Xicong of the Tourism Bureau, while Hsinchu County Government was personally headed by County Magistrate Chiu Jing-tsun along with his team. The results showed that some labor safety management personnel arrangements at Six Flags did not comply with regulations and were given a deadline for rectification. The rest were in compliance with relevant laws and regulations, though some committee members suggested further enhancements, which the operator is advised to consider. Subsequent inspection rounds have been scheduled, and the results will be published on the Tourism Bureau’s administrative information website within two weeks after the inspections.

The Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications stated that, in accordance with the “Development of Tourism Act,” “Regulations Governing the Management of Tourism Amusement Industry,” and “Guidelines for Inspection, Supervision, Assessment, and Competition on the Management, Operation, and Safety Maintenance of Tourism Amusement Industry,” it invited experts and scholars, and collaborated with central government authorities and local governments to conduct the annual supervision, assessment, and competition, as well as expanded joint inspections, for all tourist amusement operators across Taiwan. It also reviewed the results of operators’ self-inspections and regular inspections conducted by local governments in the first half of the year to ensure the implementation of a three-tier management mechanism.

Additionally, to continuously strengthen tourism safety, the Tourism Bureau has scheduled discussions on July 9 to review and revise regulations regarding mechanisms for submitting large-scale event applications in parks, adjusting insurance coverage limits, and penalty standards, by convening relevant ministries, commissions, and local governments.