Rockfall tragedy struck a popular hiking trail in Taichung on Sunday, killing four people and injuring another during an outdoor excursion. Emergency crews immediately launched rescue operations while authorities investigated the deadly incident near Butterfly Valley Waterfall in Heping District.
According to the Taichung Fire Bureau, falling rocks struck members of a hiking group near the 1.4-kilometer point of the trail. Emergency dispatchers received the first report at approximately 3:13 p.m. before sending firefighters and rescue personnel to the remote location.
When rescuers reached the scene, they discovered two men and two women without any signs of life. Additionally, a 70-year-old woman survived the incident after suffering bruises and other minor injuries during the unexpected rockfall.
Officials confirmed that all five individuals belonged to a hiking group consisting of 16 participants from Taipei. The group departed Taipei early that morning before arriving at the trailhead and beginning their hike around 11 a.m.
Meanwhile, the remaining hikers safely descended the mountain without requiring emergency assistance after the devastating accident. Former transportation and communications minister Tsai Duei also participated in the hiking trip and walked down the trail with the other survivors.
Rescue crews continued working under difficult conditions while police officers secured the surrounding area for safety and investigation purposes. Furthermore, emergency responders remained at the scene into the evening while completing recovery efforts and gathering additional information.
Because of the steep terrain, rescuers relied on ropes to recover the victims from the hazardous mountainside. They then carefully transported the victims back to the hiking trail before carrying them down the mountain for further procedures.
Authorities have not yet released additional details explaining what triggered the deadly collapse of rocks along the trail. However, investigators continue examining the area to determine whether environmental conditions contributed to the fatal incident.
Elsewhere in Taiwan, emergency responders successfully rescued four people after a yacht encountered serious trouble off Penghu County. The separate maritime emergency unfolded near Dongji Islet after rough sea conditions overwhelmed the vessel during a diving excursion.
According to the Coast Guard Administration, the Penghu-registered yacht Daily Ocean started taking on water approximately two nautical miles offshore. As waves intensified, the vessel eventually lost power before overturning and throwing everyone aboard into the surrounding waters.
Fortunately, a nearby fishing boat named San Chuan Fa reached the scene before coast guard patrol vessels arrived. The fishing crew quickly rescued all four occupants, including the captain surnamed Lee, preventing the emergency from becoming another deadly accident.
Officials stated that the yacht had departed Magong early that morning with four people heading toward popular diving locations. After receiving the distress report, coast guard units immediately dispatched patrol vessels to provide emergency assistance and secure the area.
Although the coast guard responded promptly, rescuers discovered that the nearby fishing boat had already completed the lifesaving operation. Authorities later arranged for a tugboat to recover the capsized yacht while coast guard personnel maintained a protective safety perimeter nearby.
Rockfall tragedy remains the deadliest incident reported during the day, while emergency agencies continue monitoring dangerous conditions across affected regions. Officials have urged hikers and boaters to remain cautious because changing weather and unstable environments can quickly create life-threatening situations.
