TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Taipei Dome (大巨蛋) has been approved to host concerts, but experts caution about the challenges of "vertical evacuation" due to its 10.5-meter depth. Although the venue has already hosted numerous baseball games, concerns are emerging over its suitability for large-scale concerts.
Chiu Ta-chang (丘達昌), vice chairman of the New Taipei City Professional Civil Engineers Association (新北市土木技師公會), pointed out that the floor section near the stage could accommodate around 20,000 people during concerts. In emergencies, he explained, "the crowd can be evacuated directly through the basement level."
The Taipei Dome, designed with a sunken baseball field 10.5 meters below ground, stands 74.5 meters high and can seat around 40,000 people during baseball games. For concerts, with the inclusion of standing areas, it could hold up to 60,000 people.
Hung Chih-ping (洪志評), an architecture professor at China University of Science and Technology (中華科大), stressed the importance of having effective evacuation procedures, particularly given the large crowds expected. He emphasized that people management is key to a successful evacuation.
Ho Chia-chun (何嘉浚), a professor at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (台科大), echoed these concerns, warning that evacuation routes need careful consideration to ensure public safety during emergencies.
A recent report by the Taiwan Fire Protection Safety Center Res Foundation (CFS, 消安基金會) on the dome's safety protocols was submitted to external reviewers. CFS CEO Chen Wen-lung (陳文龍) confirmed the report's findings were satisfactory.
Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) has indicated that if all procedures are finalized, a National Day concert could be held at the dome on Oct. 5. Still, experts urge concert organizers to implement comprehensive safety measures to ensure smooth and safe evacuations at future events held at the Taipei Dome.
