'Subtropical Climate Taiwan Also Not Spared' 126 Deaths in Two Days Due to Severe Cold Wave

Central Hehuanshan, Taiwan. Photo by Taiwan Liberty Times capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Hana Na] Taiwan, a subtropical climate country where temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees Celsius even in winter, reported 126 deaths over 48 hours due to a cold wave this winter, according to Taiwanese media on the 10th.

According to Apple Daily and others, an Arctic cold wave causing temperatures to plunge below freezing reached Taiwan, resulting in 126 deaths over two days starting from 7 PM on the 7th.

Many of the deceased were elderly patients suffering from cardiovascular diseases, who reportedly experienced vascular abnormalities due to the extreme cold.

One homeless person also died from hypothermia, and a 3-year-old child and an adult who showed symptoms of altitude sickness such as breathing difficulties after visiting Hehuan Mountain (elevation 3,150m), where it recently snowed, were transported to the hospital. Various cold-related accidents occurred, including cars slipping on snowy roads.

Apple Daily also reported that a police officer in the eastern Hualien (花蓮) area died from shock while arresting a suspect at the scene during an investigation of a theft case amid the cold wave.

Earlier, on the 8th, according to ETtoday and others, 27 people including a 40-year-old citizen in New Taipei City (新北), where temperatures dropped below 10 degrees Celsius, died from hypothermia. At that time, the Central Weather Bureau had issued cold weather warnings for 21 counties and cities.

NEXT TV reported on the 9th that the authorities plan to distribute heat packs and other supplies next Monday to staff struggling with the cold at the Yushan (玉山) weather observatory in Nantou (南投), central Taiwan, where temperatures fell below minus 14 degrees Celsius.

The Taiwan Central Weather Bureau forecasted that the cold will continue until next Tuesday and urged citizens to take thorough precautions against the cold.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.