The Leading News & Information Service For The Facilities, Workplace & Built Environment Community

Taiwan Blasts - Finger Points at Petrochem Industry

01 August 2014 | Updated 01 January 1970
 

As reported by the World's media a series of explosions in Kaohsiung, Taiwan has seen streets destroyed and citizens killed and injured.

Some have suggested a leaking gas main but a TWinFM contact is sure that it is pipes installed to feed the burgeoning petrochemical industry in city that are to blame. She told us, Kaohsiung has very quickly been established to be the petrochemical centre for the country. Those alarmed by the smell of 'gas' have said it smelt of propane (a gasoline derivative) rather than household gas.

Initial suggestions are that propane has leaked from pipes running alongside or through the drainage system and this has provided a route, pressure and escape mechanism - manholes.

Many of the dead - 27 is the latest count - had come from their homes to investigate the smell and were caught in the explosions. Four firefighters who were investigating are among the dead. Nearly 300 residents have been injured.

The blasts occurred all over the large Cianjhen district of the city - roads have been split in two, cars truned up-side-down and buildings severely damaged.

Although domestic gas supplies have been turned off, there is no news on other services.

Economic Affairs Minister Chang Chia-chu is reported to have said: "We suspect the leaked gas could be propylene." However, ThisWeekinFM understands that this is a natural glycol and although associated with the plastics industry (which Taiwan is well known for) it is not associated with the petrochem industry.

Article written by Brian Shillibeer | Published 01 August 2014

Share


Related Tags


Related Articles

Explosion - Four Dead - Valero Pays £6 Million

Valero Energy UK will have to pay at least £6 million after four people died in an oil explosion. B&A Contracts have also been fined after the incident at...

 Read Full Article
Planning Approved For Goldsun Taipei HQ

Designs for the new headquarters of the Goldsun Group in Taipei in Taiwan have been revealed following a successful Urban Design Approval. Part of the Nangang urban...

 Read Full Article
Balcony Collapse - One Man Was Pinned to Railings

Tomasz Procko, 22, from Greenford died at the scene. Karol Szymanski, 29, from Wembley died later in hospital. One of the men is thought to have fallen on to spiked...

 Read Full Article