TAIPEI, July 13 — Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) and Taiwan Railway Corp. (TRC) have jointly called on passengers to keep power banks within reach during train journeys, following a string of incidents involving the devices catching fire onboard.
Over the past year, three separate cases of power banks igniting were reported — two on TRC trains and one on a THSR train — prompting both companies to step up public reminders about the proper handling of such devices.
Although power banks are not officially classified as hazardous materials under Taiwan’s Railway Act, the recent fire-related incidents have raised safety concerns. The TRC emphasized that passengers should carry power banks on their person rather than stowing them inside bags or luggage compartments, where they may be harder to monitor.
THSR echoed the warning, saying passengers should keep a close eye on their personal electronic items, particularly those with a potential fire risk. The company explained that having such items in sight allows for faster action or immediate reporting to train personnel if a problem arises.
Both railway operators stressed that passengers will be held legally responsible if a fire occurs due to improper storage or misuse of a power bank during travel.
Earlier this year, several airlines in Taiwan also introduced restrictions on power bank usage onboard flights, reinforcing concerns about lithium battery-related incidents.
The two rail companies are now intensifying their safety messaging to prevent further accidents and ensure a secure travel environment for all passengers.
