Politicians call for Keelung ammunition depot to be moved following explosion
ROC Central News Agency
08/01/2023 03:51 PM
Taipei, Aug. 1 (CNA) Taiwan's military on Tuesday refused to directly respond to demands made by the Keelung mayor and politicians for an ammunition depot to be relocated after an explosion there last month injured nine soldiers, leaving two of them seriously wounded.
Rear Admiral Chen Chun-chung (陳春忠), head of the Ministry of National Defense's (MND) material readiness section, said the military has reviewed its safety precautions relating to the Hsiang Feng military base in Keelung.
Following the review, the military decided to move explosive ammunition further inside the depot, Chen said, adding that warehouses closer to residential areas will now only store less dangerous weaponry.
Although the explosion occurred in the depot and did not impact nearby civilians, some residents have been urging the government to move the entire depot for years.
Regarding the possibility of the entire depot being moved, as Keelung Mayor Mayor Hsieh Kuo-liang (謝國樑) and all three candidates running to represent the city in the 2024 legislative elections are demanding, Chen only said that the military chooses locations to store ammunition following "careful considerations and comprehensive planning."
"We will continue to do our best to communicate with the city government and local residents on the issue," he added, without elaborating.
Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng (邱國正) told reporters last week that even if the military ultimately decides to relocate the depot, it could be a while before it actually moves because the military will first need to find a new location.
He emphasized that the military is abiding by the law that states any military ammunition depot must be situated at least 300 meters away from civilians.
The explosion occurred at around 3 p.m. on July 24 at the Hsiang Feng military base in Keelung, while servicemen were inspecting 120-millimeter mortar rounds, the MND said, adding that the cause of the explosion is under investigation.
The base serves as an ammunition depot for the Sixth Army Corps, which is responsible for protecting northern Taiwan.
The two men seriously injured during the incident were a 35-year-old staff sergeant surnamed Hung (洪) and a 34-year-old sergeant surnamed Yin (尹). Both of them had their hands and arms partially amputated and are still recovering in hospital.
Seven others suffered minor injuries and were discharged Monday.
(By Matt Yu and Joseph Yeh)
Enditem/kb
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
