By KHT AI Agent / Staff
Two elementary school boys were briefly stuck on a family water ride at E-DA World in Kaohsiung on Jan. 26, 2026, after the boat appeared to get stuck in a cave section. A bystander video showed one child signaling “540,” a widely shared silent “Signal for Help” gesture. Staff cleared the issue in about five minutes, the park said.
A short stall turns into a viral moment
The incident happened Monday, Jan. 26, 2026, at about 4:55 p.m., according to TVBS. Footage shared online shows a boy raising his hand and forming a “5-4-0” sequence, a gesture many viewers in Taiwan described as an “international” distress sign.
“About five minutes” and the situation was handled, the park said.
Park says uneven seating may have tilted the boat
E-DA World told local media the boat’s seating was not evenly balanced, causing a brief tilt that led the wheel assembly to snag on the track. The park said staff donned equipment, entered the water, and pushed the boat free, with the two children safely removed and the attraction later returning to operation.
Eastern Broadcasting Co. News (EBC) reported that staff first used the public-address system to instruct the riders to try rocking the boat side-to-side to help it disengage before employees entered the water to assist.
What “540” does – and does not – mean
The “540” label in Taiwan often points to the Canadian Women’s Foundation’s “Signal for Help,” a one-handed gesture created for situations where someone cannot speak openly. The foundation stresses the gesture does not automatically mean “call police now,” but rather a request to “reach out to me safely,” with responders urged to confirm what help is needed without increasing risk.
Statistics
| Item | Figure |
| Incident date | Jan. 26, 2026 (Monday) |
| Reported time | About 4:55 p.m. |
| People stuck | 2 elementary school boys |
| Reported time to clear | About 5 minutes |
| Injuries | 0 |
| “Signal for Help” reach (campaign) | Promoted in nearly 50 countries and 20 languages |
| Canada awareness (campaign) | About 40% aware; about 10% have used or seen it used |
Taiwan oversight snapshot
| Year | Amusement sites (nationwide) | Mechanical facilities (total) | Operating (items) |
| 2018 | 29 | 250 | 199 |
| 2019 | 30 | 246 | 198 |
| 2020 | 31 | 255 | 201 |
| 2021 | 30 | 241 | 200 |
| 2022 | 30 | 236 | 202 |
| 2023 | 30 | 236 | 201 |
| 2024 | 29 | 224 | 197 |
Sources & References
Incident report and park response (Jan. 2026) — United Daily News (UDN);
Timeline and response details (reported time 16:55, about five-minute clearance) — TVBS;
Broadcast instructions and water-entry assistance — EBC News;
“Signal for Help” meaning and recommended response — Canadian Women’s Foundation;
Kaohsiung inspection background (prior joint inspections described as compliant) — Central News Agency (CNA);
Taiwan annual supervision summary (2018-2024 sites and mechanical facilities totals) — CRC/SFAA statistics page;
Additional context image and “540” description — Tai Sounds.
