Taipei man indicted over false post about Typhoon Bavi

Taipei, Aug. 31 (CNA) Taipei prosecutors on Monday indicted a man for allegedly causing public panic with a false social media post about flooding during Typhoon Bavi in July.

The case came to light when Taipei Rapid Transit Corp. (TRTC) discovered the misleading post on the social media platform Threads and reported the matter to the police.

The Taipei Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division subsequently found that a photo posted by the suspect was an image of flooding in the Taipei Metro system in 2001 during Typhoon Nari.

The findings were referred to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office, which on Monday indicted the man, surnamed Lin (林), on charges related to spreading false disaster information that could harm the public or others.

According to the indictment, Lin knew that Taipei Main Station was operating normally when Typhoon Bavi was affecting Taiwan on July 10 and 11, but he posted the old photo, claiming that the station was inaccessible due to flooding.

Lin used photo of the 2001 flooding to generate traffic to his social media account, which drew attention and caused public panic, the indictment said.

Under Taiwan law, the offense carries a maximum sentence of three years in prison or a fine of up to NT$1 million (US$31,556).

The Taipei District Prosecutors Office said it will be seeking a "heavy sentence" for Lin.