Nantou bravely killed Wu Cheng Rong and died in the line of duty. He was awarded a presidential commendation order at the public memorial ceremony.

Wu Cheng Rong died in Nantou's heroic rescue mission. Undersecretary of the Interior Ma Shiyuan (right) attended the public memorial ceremony and presented the Presidential Commendation Order. (Provided by Nantou County Fire Department)

Nantou County firefighter Wu Chengrong died in the line of duty today. Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shiyuan attended and presented the Presidential Commendation Order. Nantou County Magistrate Xu Shuhua also awarded him a posthumous promotion to the 2nd line and 1-star squad leader. The firefighter's coffin was covered with national flags and fire flags to commend his dedication to firefighting. Wu's mother endured the pain of a white-haired person giving away a black-haired person, and she sent her son off for the last journey with tears. The scene was full of sadness.

In the Wujie section of the upper reaches of the Zhuoshui River in Nantou, five people went rafting on August 30. However, the surge of water washed away the Xinyi River section, leaving three people trapped on a sandbar. The Nantou County Fire Department rescued one of them on the 31st. Firefighter Wu Chengrong took a lifeboat for a second rescue, but it was overturned by the flood and unfortunately fell into the water and died on duty. The last two rafters who were stranded were rescued by air crew helicopters on September 2.

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The Nantou County Fire Department stated that Wu Chengrong is an aborigine of Xinyi Township and has been involved in front-line firefighting and mountain disaster rescue for about 15 years. At today's public memorial ceremony, Deputy Minister of the Interior Ma Shiyuan presented him with the Presidential Commendation Order, the Executive Yuan Model Medal, and the First-class Firefighting Professional Medal; Chairman of the Aboriginal Association Zeng Zhiyong also presented him with the First-class Aboriginal Medal.

County Magistrate Xu Shuhua awarded Wu a posthumous promotion order and promoted Wu to the rank of captain of the 2nd line and 1-star unit; Fire Chief Hong Chaolun presented him with the Fire Service Medal of Honor. Wu’s coffin was also covered with the national flag and fire flag, paying the highest respect to him for his long-term dedication to firefighting and protecting the township.

Wu Chengrong, a brave soldier in Nantou, died in public service. Wu's mother (centre), accompanied by people from all walks of life, sent her son off on his final journey with tears in his eyes. (Provided by Nantou County Fire Department)

Wu Chengrong, a brave firefighter in Nantou, died in the line of duty. The coffin was covered with the national flag and fire flag to commend his dedication to firefighting. (Provided by Nantou County Fire Department)