Formosa Plastics Group VP apologizes
Taiwan News
2010-07-28
TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The fire at the Formosa Plastics Group’s sixth naphtha cracker in Yunlin County is a national issue which should be addressed by the central government, opposition Democratic Progressive Party Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen said Wednesday.
The blaze, which raged from Sunday evening until Monday morning, was the second within a month at the huge complex in Mailiao. The latest incident triggered off clashes and calls from residents for a suspension of operations.
During a visit to the town Wednesday morning, Tsai accused the government of President Ma Ying-jeou of being heartless in its disregard for the plight of local residents. She visited local shellfish farmers, who reported widespread damage from the fire, with the water turning black. Many fish and ducks also died in the days since the fire, farmers told her. Experts have suggested acid rain following the air pollution from the fire was responsible.
“Safety at the sixth naphtha cracker is a national issue,” Tsai said, calling for the formation of a nationwide work safety response framework. The DPP has repeatedly questioned the adequacy of fire prevention at the FPG complex.   more …
