
Taipei, Aug. 4 (CNA) The Taipei City government on Thursday encouraged residents to download an app that can be used to search the locations of the city's 5,000-plus air raid shelters.
Cheng Ta-chuan (鄭大川), a spokesman for the city's Building Administration Office, said Taipei currently has 5,771 air raid shelters, which can accommodate 12.87 million people, more than five times the city's population.
The number includes 1,417 public shelters that are located in government buildings, schools, office buildings, underground malls and parking lots, while 4,354 of the shelters are in privately owned buildings, Cheng said.
In the event of an air raid drill or outbreak of war, the shelters would be opened to the public, on a directive from the Ministry of National Defense, he said.

Taipei residents can find the nearest available shelter, and directions for getting there, by downloading the Taipei City Police Department app (北市警政), which is only in Chinese currently, according to Cheng.
Meanwhile, a complete list of air raid shelters nationwide, catalogued by municipality, can be found on the website of the National Police Agency's Civil Defense Office.
The Taipei City announcement was made shortly before China on Thursday launched a series of live-fire military drills in six maritime areas near Taiwan, which are expected to last until Sunday, following a visit by U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taipei earlier this week.
Update
Aug. 8: China's Yellow Sea drills won't affect Taiwan int'l flights: MOTC
Aug. 7: China sends 66 warplanes, 14 warships around Taiwan Sunday
Aug. 6: 20 Chinese warplanes, 14 warships deployed around Taiwan: MND
Aug. 6: U.S., Japan, Australia urge China to stop military drills
Aug. 6: Taiwan companies told to abide by China's labeling rule: MOEA
Aug. 5: 68 Chinese warplane, 13 warship sorties recorded around Taiwan: MND
Aug. 5: MOFA reports continued cyberattacks seeking to crash its website
Aug. 5: International flights avoiding Taipei FIR due to China drills: Official
Aug. 4: President Tsai calls China's live-fire drills 'irresponsible act'
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