Chiayi County: Five tourists are set to be penalized after being discovered walking on the tracks of the Alishan Forest Railway on Monday. This enforcement action comes as a result of heightened patrols by local authorities following a non-fatal collision that occurred last month.

According to Focus Taiwan, each of the five individuals will receive fines ranging from NT$10,000 (US$302) to NT$50,000, as stipulated under Article 70 of Taiwan's Railway Act. The Alishan Forest Railway and Cultural Heritage Office of the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency issued a press release detailing the incident and the consequent penalties.

The infringement was detected by personnel from the heritage office, working in tandem with local police, during a joint patrol near Erwanping Station. This station is notable for being the final stop on the main Alishan railway line before reaching Alishan.

In its statement, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency urged the public to refrain from walking on the tracks and cautioned against entering bridges or tunnels. Additionally, the office announced plans to enhance surveillance by installing more cameras along the railway tracks.

Local authorities have intensified patrols along the scenic railway route, which attracts both international and local visitors, in the wake of a significant accident last month. In the incident on December 14, a female tourist sustained injuries when she was hit by a locomotive near Dulishan Station on the main line of the Alishan railway.

The tourist was reportedly on the tracks taking photographs and failed to respond to the train's warning whistle, as evidenced by video footage that circulated extensively following the accident.