A runaway hiker surnamed Ye, who climbed the Central Mountain Range alone and twice requested rescue before fleeing, caused seven rescuers to be trapped due to Typhoon Mangkhut during the search efforts. Air force helicopters were deployed on five separate missions. The Nantou County Fire Bureau issued him a citation along with related personnel and mission cost invoices, and the total compensation amount was announced today (20th), reaching over 2.07 million New Taiwan Dollars.
However, according to Apple Daily, Ye and his daughter apologized yesterday (19th) but have not answered any calls since, and his employer, the Taiwan Power Company, also stated they are unable to reach him.
The Nantou County Fire Bureau explained that the five helicopter missions, including fuel, maintenance, and crew salaries, amounted to 1.96 million NTD. In addition, 17 rescuers from the bureau, including police, firefighters, and volunteers, incurred operational costs, execution fees, and supplies totaling 115,000 NTD. The combined air and ground rescue expenses reached 2.075 million NTD.
This runaway hiker has a history of misusing emergency services—it’s not his first time treating helicopters like taxis. Four years ago, he sought police and firefighter assistance while hiking and was dubbed a “frequent false emergency caller.” After being accused of repeatedly wasting public resources, he even lashed out, blaming the volunteers for abandoning him, which sparked public outrage. Yesterday (19th), when Ye, accompanied by his wife and colleagues from the Taiwan Power Company, went to the Nantou County Fire Bureau’s Third Division to express gratitude and apologize, an angry volunteer snuck up from behind, pulled off his hat and mask, and questioned his sincerity in apologizing.