Taiwanese YouTubers fined NT$10,000 for releasing sky lantern on tracks

Taipei, Aug. 18 (CNA) Two Taiwanese YouTubers were fined NT$10,000 (US$333) for releasing a sky lantern on railway tracks at Shifen Station in New Taipei, triggering online debate and prompting officials to promise better oversight.

The duo, known as "Tsai Tai-tai and Tsai Sheng-sheng" (菜苔苔與菜生生), said in an apology video on their YouTube channel on Saturday that they were directed onto the tracks by vendors.

Many other visitors were also releasing lanterns on the tracks at that time at the popular tourist spot in New Taipei's Pingxi District, they said, but police officers later told them their actions violated the Railway Act.

The Tourism Administration said the practice of releasing lanterns on railway tracks raises legal concerns and pledged to step up publicity to warn tourists against releasing lanterns on the tracks.

According to Article 57 of the Railway Act, pedestrians and vehicles "shall not intrude into/onto railway routes, bridges, as well as places inside tunnels and stations not designated for public use."

The Railway Bureau said it is considering amendments to the Railway Act to meet tourism demand while ensuring safety, and will continue to review cases referred by the Railway Police before imposing penalties.

Releasing sky lanterns is a traditional practice in which a paper lantern, often inscribed with wishes or prayers and containing a fuel source that produces a small flame, is released to float into the sky.

The New Taipei City government said lanterns may only be released in specific areas under the "New Taipei City Sky Lantern Release Management Regulations," including between the Shifen Visitor Center in Pingxi District and Shigong Bridge and within 200 meters of the Keelung River.

The city added that releases are banned between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m., with violators facing fines of up to NT$3,000 under the Fire Services Act.

City officials said a new "New Taipei City Sky Lantern Sustainable Development Ordinance" -- currently awaiting approval from the Executive Yuan -- would require vendors to buy certification stamps and pay a sustainable development fee.