Xiaogang District retaining wall collapse triggers emergency evacuations

A retaining wall collapsed on Songfu Street in the Xiaogang District of Kaohsiung on the afternoon of August 28, following heavy rainfall. The collapse spanned approximately 20 meters, causing earth and debris to slide onto the road and bury three motorcycles. No injuries were reported.

In response to the incident, the Xiaogang District Office initiated a preventive evacuation of 28 residents from seven households. Twenty-two individuals were relocated to hotels, while six others were placed with relatives. The Kaohsiung City Government activated emergency response mechanisms, deploying machinery to clear debris, remove hazardous trees, and cover the slope with tarps to prevent further erosion.

Water resource engineers preliminary determined that continuous heavy rain increased soil moisture and lateral pressure, leading to the wall's failure. Local political figures have also commented on the event, with Kuomintang candidate Ke Chih-en visiting the site to inspect damage and call for continued safety assessments, while political tensions have arisen regarding the responsiveness of local representatives.