Ceiling Scaffold Collapse Injures Woman at Taipei LaLaport
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A serious workplace safety incident struck Mitsui Shopping Park LaLaport in Taipei’s Nangang District on Friday, when a ceiling section and construction scaffolding collapsed during renovation work for the fifth-floor KidZania facility . The falling debris injured a 65-year-old woman, who was hit on the back of the head and later sent to Tri-Service General Hospital in Neihu while conscious . Witnesses described a loud crash, a burst of dust, and a chaotic evacuation scene inside the mall as materials dropped through the atrium to lower floors . Taipei’s building authorities later launched an investigation and imposed the heaviest available fine of NT$300,000 on the mall operator, while ordering corrective action .
Key Points
- The accident occurred at about 1:52 pm on August 7 at the fifth floor of Nangang LaLaport, where KidZania renovation works were underway .
- Authorities suspect the ceiling, temporary enclosure, and scaffolding were not properly secured, causing them to lose balance and collapse suddenly .
- Heavy steel pipes and large construction materials reportedly spanned the atrium and plunged from the upper level to lower floors .
- A 65-year-old woman suffered swelling after being struck on the back of the head, but she remained conscious during emergency treatment .
- Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an said the mall had a March interior renovation permit, yet safety maintenance duties still applied to users .
Why It Matters
The incident raises fresh concerns about construction safety inside busy commercial venues, especially during the summer travel season when malls attract large family crowds and tourists . It also highlights the legal and operational responsibility of operators to maintain public safety even when renovation work has been formally approved .