A 54-year-old air-conditioning technician was killed after falling from the 18th floor of a newly constructed high-rise in Taichung’s North District on Tuesday afternoon.
The fatal accident occurred around 2 p.m. at the intersection of Yuqiang Street and Section 2 of Shuangshi Road. According to police, the worker, identified as Mr. Yang, was installing an air-conditioning unit when he apparently lost his footing and fell from the 18th floor, landing on a second-floor terrace.
Emergency responders arrived shortly after receiving the call but found that the victim had already succumbed to his injuries at the scene. Police immediately cordoned off the area and have launched an investigation into the cause of the accident.
Other workers at the site told reporters that the man was installing an air-conditioning system for a homeowner who had recently taken possession of the 18th-floor unit. One worker recounted, “He was working up on the 18th floor and slipped — we were told he fell all the way down and didn’t make it.”
Authorities said the installation involved high-altitude work, which requires strict safety measures, including the use of helmets, safety harnesses, and dual fall-protection ropes. Construction safety regulations also stipulate that dangerous tasks such as high-rise installations may require additional fees or crane assistance to ensure worker safety.
Police are now investigating whether proper safety protocols were followed and whether the homeowner’s decision to hire a private technician complied with high-altitude work regulations.
