3 Workers Rescued After Being Trapped by Rising River While Inspecting National Highway No. 6 Bridge in Rain

(Central News Agency reporter Xiao Boyang, Nantou County, 10th) Three workers were trapped while inspecting a construction site and reinforcing facilities on a riverbed beneath National Highway No. 6 when rainfall caused a sudden surge in the river's water level. The workers requested help from the site supervisor, who reported the incident. The Nantou County Fire Bureau dispatched personnel and vehicles, who rappelled from the highway down to the riverbed to rescue the three trapped individuals. None were injured.

The fire bureau received the report this morning that three people were trapped on the riverbed of the Wu River beneath the elevated section of National Highway No. 6 at approximately the 13-kilometer mark. The bureau dispatched its First Brigade and the Bixing, Caotun, and Shuangdong teams for rescue. Firefighters rappelled from the highway surface, a height equivalent to about six stories, to reach the riverbed and rescue the three trapped individuals. All were uninjured and did not require hospitalization.

Regarding the workers operating on the riverbed despite poor weather, the Central Region Maintenance and Engineering Branch of the Freeway Bureau, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, stated that seismic retrofit work for bridges on National Highway No. 6 is currently underway. In response to the "June 8th Heavy Rain" event, the construction team was inspecting the site and reinforcing facilities this morning. During this time, a sudden increase in upstream water flow and a change in the river's course caused the on-site workers to become trapped on a high riverbank.

The Central Branch stated that it activated its emergency response mechanism immediately. It not only requested assistance from the fire department but also dispatched a large crane to the scene for support. The trapped workers have been safely evacuated and are unharmed. The Central Branch will continue to monitor the water situation at the site to ensure the safety of all subsequent engineering work and personnel. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150610