Taipei City Government held a mountain hiking and walking event this morning to celebrate the Double Ninth Festival, with Mayor Ko Wen-je personally participating. However, the number of participants turned out to be 7 to 10 times higher than originally expected. Some elderly attendees were injured in a scramble to grab lottery tickets, prompting Mayor Ko to apologize and promise to distribute gifts to every senior participant. The Social Affairs Bureau and the Public Works Bureau, which organized the event and planned the route, have just issued a press release stating that they have conducted a thorough review of the mishap. The supplementary commemorative gifts will be available for collection in person at the Taipei City Hall starting November 6, or can be mailed to participants.
The event was mainly divided in terms of responsibilities: the Department of Urban Development was in charge of planning the hiking route, event flow, and hardware such as promotional items, while the Social Affairs Bureau handled the software aspects including performance troupes and game stalls at the fair.
The city government stated that the event was initially estimated to attract around 7,000 participants, but early in the morning, many members of the public began arriving one after another at the starting point beneath the “Jiannan MRT Station,” where the plaza is located. Some individuals chose not to wait for the official 8:00 AM departure time and began walking the hiking route on their own. Moreover, many opted for the flat walking path instead of the mountain trail, leading to crowding and pushing when lottery tickets were being distributed at the relay station at Beitou Junior High School.
Additionally, many participants reported that upon reaching the final stop, the Chien Tan Youth Activity Center, they were unable to receive their participation souvenirs due to the number of attendees exceeding expectations.
In response, Public Works Bureau Director Peng Chen-sheng explained that at least 350 personnel from the Social Affairs Bureau, Public Works Bureau, police department, social welfare centers, and volunteer traffic wardens were mobilized for the event. Emergency medical aid stations were also set up along the hiking route. However, he expressed deep regret regarding the pushing incident that occurred at Beitou Junior High School.
Social Affairs Bureau Director Hsu Li-min stated that 23 participants suffered minor scrapes and bruises from the pushing and were all treated at the on-site medical aid stations. One individual sought medical attention independently due to chest tightness. This event was covered by public liability insurance, with personal injury coverage of NT$3 million per person and a total coverage of NT$70 million. Those who were injured can contact Pan Hsin-yuan, Chief Engineer of the Department of Urban Development, at 02-27593001 ext. 3225.
As for the much-discussed matter of redistributing gifts, Hsu Li-min said that those who filled out information forms at the walking event can collect their commemorative gifts in person at the first-floor lobby of Taipei City Hall from November 6 to November 10, between 9:00 AM–12:00 PM and 1:30 PM–5:00 PM, by presenting their ID. For those unable to pick up their gifts in person, the city government will mail the souvenirs to those who provided an address between November 13 and November 17. Anyone with further questions...
(China Times)