Taipei  - A computer breakdown at the Taipei international airport continued Tuesday, causing chaos with customs officers hand- recording departing passengers' data and passengers forming long queues, according to radio reports.

The computer glitch, which began at about 6:45 am Monday, continued Tuesday, prompting Immigration Minister Hsieh Li-kung to show up at the Taoyuan International Airport near Taipei to supervise repair work, Broadcasting Corp of China said.

As queues of departing passengers become longer, the airport plans to open all its 42 counters to speed up customs clearance and prevent flight delays. The real worry is that some criminals might take advantage of the loophole to flee Taiwan, the report said.

Monday's computer glitch came one day after the baggage-handling system at the airport's Number 2 Terminal malfunctioned, causing more than 100 pieces of luggage to miss flights. (dpa)