Head of wind farm released on bail after CO2 leak

Taipei, Aug. 29 (CNA) — The construction manager of an onshore wind farm in Changhua County has been released on NT$200,000 (US$6,260) bail after a worker died from a carbon dioxide leak on Monday, the Changhua District Prosecutor's Office said.

According to a statement from the office on Thursday, the supervisor, surnamed Chen (陳), was questioned on Wednesday on charges of negligent homicide and violation of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and subsequently released on bail.

The measure was taken after Changhua Prosecutor Chu Chien-fu (朱健福) investigated the crime scene the same day, led by a Lukang District task force and forensic investigators.

The incident occurred on August 20 at the construction site of an offshore wind farm in Hai Long. One worker died and is still in critical condition, and 14 others were injured.

27 August: Wind farm worker dies in coma after CO2 leak

The deceased was identified as a 19-year-old man surnamed Chien (簡). He had no heartbeat when found at the scene, but was resuscitated after being taken to Tungs' Taichung MetroHarbor Hospital in Wuqi District.

The young man remained in intensive care with the lowest possible score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (absence of opening the eyes, verbal or motor response) and an extremely high mortality rate before he died from his injuries on Monday evening.

The other two people found without signs of life are a 58-year-old man surnamed Liu (劉) and a 38-year-old man surnamed Lai (賴). Both are still in intensive care and are also in a level three coma.

According to the press release, Lai's family has agreed that his organs could be donated in the event of his death.

The other 14 injured workers were released from the hospital.

Prosecutors have not yet been able to determine the exact cause of the gas leak, but the plant's main contractor, Teco Electric & Machinery Co., said improper operating procedures and the installation of high-pressure cylinders by on-site personnel may have led to the incident.