Tourist dies after boardwalk collapse near popular bridge in Taiwan

SINGAPORE: An elderly tourist was killed and four others injured when a wooden walkway leading to a popular suspension bridge collapsed in Taiwan on Wednesday (Nov 13).

According to Taiwanese media, the 3-meter-high boardwalk collapsed when the five victims gathered for a group photo near the Fumei Suspension Bridge, a popular tourist attraction in Chiayi’s Alishan District, around 16:00 local time.

The victims, who were part of a 44-person tour group from Miaoli County, were hospitalized. The 76-year-old woman, who was injured in the head, later died.

The Chiayi District Fire Department said the other four were in stable condition.

Fumei Suspension Bridge was built with donations from the Taiwan Red Cross Society and handed over to the Alishan District Office for management in 2011.

Taiwanese authorities are investigating the incident.