Taiwan, April 02:
At least four people were killed and 27 others injured when a train derailed in a tunnel in eastern Taiwan on Friday.
The eight-car Taroko Express carrying 350 passengers was travelling to the eastern coastal city of Taitung from New Taipei City when it came off the rails in a tunnel near Chongde, Hualien at around 9.30am on a public holiday, according to the fire department.
“We received the report of the accident at 9.35am and sent rescuers to the site at 9.58am for the rescue,” said an officer from the Hualien Fire Department.
About 36 passengers were reported to have shown no signs of life when rescuers pulled them from some of the carriages, according to local news reports, which the officer said he could not confirm. Passengers were evacuated from the first four carriages, but the second half of the train inside the tunnel was hard to access because some of the last four carriages had been deformed after hitting the tunnel wall, he said.
Police said the initial investigation showed the accident was caused by an improperly braked truck which fell from the slope and hit the train as it emerged from the tunnel.
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A train in Taiwan was derailed on Friday morning, killing at least four people. Photo: CNAA train in Taiwan was derailed on Friday morning, killing at least four people. Photo: CNA
A train in Taiwan was derailed on Friday morning, killing at least four people. Photo: CNA
At least four people were killed and 27 others injured when a train derailed in a tunnel in eastern Taiwan on Friday.
The eight-car Taroko Express carrying 350 passengers was travelling to the eastern coastal city of Taitung from New Taipei City when it came off the rails in a tunnel near Chongde, Hualien at around 9.30am on a public holiday, according to the fire department.
A section of the damaged train. Photo: CNA
A section of the damaged train. Photo: CNA
“We received the report of the accident at 9.35am and sent rescuers to the site at 9.58am for the rescue,” said an officer from the Hualien Fire Department.
About 36 passengers were reported to have shown no signs of life when rescuers pulled them from some of the carriages, according to local news reports, which the officer said he could not confirm. Passengers were evacuated from the first four carriages, but the second half of the train inside the tunnel was hard to access because some of the last four carriages had been deformed after hitting the tunnel wall, he said.
Police said the initial investigation showed the accident was caused by an improperly braked truck which fell from the slope and hit the train as it emerged from the tunnel.
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Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen ordered relevant authorities to do their best in the rescue effort and ensure proper treatment for the hospitalised passengers. Transport minister Lin Chia-lung also went to the accident site to coordinate the rescue work. Local television footage showed worried friends and relatives waiting anxiously at Taitung station.
The Taroko Express is one of the fastest running trains in Taiwan. The accident happened at the start of a long weekend for the traditional Chinese tomb sweeping festival, when people return home to commemorate the deceased by cleaning their graves.
