10th Anniversary Memorial of Formosa Fun Coast Dust Explosion & Dr. Shiow-Shuh Chuang Tribute

January 27, 2026 Linkou CGMH Memorial Event

On the 10th anniversary of the Formosa Fun Coast dust explosion, Linkou CGMH held a memorial ceremony themed "Gratitude, Hope, Moving Forward" to commemorate this significant medical journey and pay tribute to the medical team. The event reunited physicians, nurses, returning plastic surgery alumni, and survivors with their families.

Key Medical Statistics
40+
Patients received in 4 hours

200+
Surgeries in acute phase

95%
Survival rate

5.6
Avg. debridement & grafts

Distinguished Guests

Director Liang-Yu Chen, National Health Insurance Administration
Chairman Yu-Rui Chen, CGMH Philanthropy Committee
Chairman Wen-Jun Cheng, CGMH Decision Committee
Vice Chairman Jian-Zong Chen, CGMH Decision Committee
Director You-De Lin, Surgery Department, Linkou CGMH
Dr. Cheng-Hong Lin, Chief of Plastic Surgery

First-Line Emergency Response

Chairman Yu-Rui Chen noted that the explosion caused a massive influx of severe burn patients. Linkou CGMH received over 40 patients within four hours, with an average burn surface area of 50% TBSA. The hospital immediately established a response command center and mobilized extensive resources.

Vice Chairman Jian-Zong Chen added that during the first two weeks, the Plastic Surgery department suspended all routine surgeries to focus on rescue efforts, performing over 200 surgeries in the acute phase, with each patient averaging 5.6 debridement and grafting procedures.

Alumni Return to Support: All Patients Discharged

"When manpower was critically short, many retired nurses and established plastic surgery alumni immediately returned to support surgeries and care. By year-end, all 50+ patients, including transfers from other hospitals, were successfully discharged with a survival rate exceeding 95%."

— Director You-De Lin, Surgery Department

From Survival to Recovery

Former Burn Center Director Dr. Rui-Yong Yang indicated that the Plastic Surgery department continued playing a crucial role in post-acute reconstruction, covering:

Wound care
Scar management
Skin grafting and flap reconstruction
Joint contracture prevention and correction
Functional reconstruction and long-term follow-up

The "Burn Outpatient Treatment Center" established in December 2015 at Taoyuan CGMH, integrating plastic surgery, rehabilitation, and psychiatry, has accompanied over 100 survivors through their lengthy rehabilitation journey.

Tribute to Dr. Shiow-Shuh Chuang

The event featured a solemn tribute ceremony to honor Dr. Shiow-Shuh Chuang, who passed away in December. Dr. Lin expressed that Dr. Chuang had devoted years to severe burn treatment and reconstruction, personally leading the team during the Formosa explosion, performing complex scar release surgeries and full-thickness skin grafts to help patients regain limb function.

Transforming Gratitude into Forward Momentum

Singer Selina (Ren Jia-Xuan), who had experienced burns herself, sent a video message thanking Dr. Chuang and the medical team, expressing well-wishes to all survivors. She hopes this trust and strength between medical teams and patients can continue driving forward progress, accompanying more people through their post-injury recovery journey.