It is reported that among the dead at the scene, only 15 people's bodies were relatively complete, and only 4 of them could be identified. The other 11 people's heads were severely damaged, or their upper and lower bodies were separated, so their identities need to be verified.

April 2

Taiwan Railways "Taroko" derailed

causing heavy casualties

According to The Paper

So far

The accident has killed 54 people

56 people were injured

Picture Source: Taiwanese media

Taiwanese media claimed that there were " purgatory"

Only 15 people's remains are relatively complete

Taiwanese media said that after the accident, the "Taroko" had become a "purgatory" with human tissues scattered everywhere. It is reported that among the dead at the scene, only 15 people's bodies were relatively complete, and only 4 of them could be identified. The other 11 people's heads were severely damaged, or their upper and lower bodies were separated, so their identities need to be verified.

Relevant personnel are identifying the corpse (Source: Taiwan media)

The body tissues (corpse pieces), organs and limbs of the victims are scattered inside and outside the carriage. In addition, there are still many deceased persons whose identities cannot be identified, and their family members are still waiting to be identified at the scene.

The search and rescue team of the Keelung City Fire Department went deep into the hardest-hit area and conducted a comprehensive search from the 6th carriage to the 1st carriage. Search and rescue workers used lights to search for any missing body parts, limbs or remains in the severely twisted and deformed car. One search and rescue worker said sadly: "No one is missing!"

Source: Taiwan media

An increase in the number of deaths cannot be ruled out. The possibility

Taiwan Railway held a press conference on the evening of the 2nd to introduce the relevant situation.

Relevant officials at the press conference said that with the subsequent search, it is not ruled out that the number of deaths will increase, and the remains of the victims may be found in the future.

According to previous reports by Taiwanese media, the train has a total of 8 carriages. The 8th to 5th carriages derailed and deformed. The train is currently stuck in the Qingshui Tunnel.

Footage from the rescue scene showed that many people escaping from the car walked out of the tunnel from the roof of the car. Some surviving people pointed out that someone was stuck and lost his life in the 5th carriage. "Currently, no one has come out of the 6th, 7th and 8th carriages." This is Taiwan's most serious railway traffic accident involving casualties in recent years, so the Taiwan authorities have decided to fly flags at half-mast across Taiwan for three consecutive days starting today.

Pensions have been launched

Condolence payments are being distributed

Rescue is still continuing, but pensions for the victims and seriously injured people have been launched.

At present, Taiwan’s transportation department stated that the Taiwan Railways has sent personnel to express condolences to the injured and the families of the victims one by one, including issuing condolences of NT$100,000 for death and NT$5,000 for injuries.

In addition, it is expected that each victim will be compensated NT$5.4 million, including condolences, compensation for major traffic accidents, special compensation from the Taiwan Railways, etc.

Rescue continues

It is expected to be restored to traffic in 7 days

The authorities estimate that it will take at least a week to clean up and repair the damaged railway, and it will take about 7 days to open to traffic normally.

Follow-up rescue operations are still ongoing. Now more than 140 injured people have been sent to various hospitals. Some of the slightly injured people have been discharged, and more than 60 seriously injured people are still being treated in the hospital.

There are many doubts about the cause of the accident

As for the cause of the accident, acquired factors have been basically ruled out. It should be a man-made accident or a mechanical failure.

According to the latest statement, it was reported yesterday that the parking time was 9:28, but today’s latest update is that the perpetrator parked the car at a place where it should not have been parked at 8:15. As for whether the handbrake was engaged or not, it has now become a major doubt.

According to some workers at the scene, the driver had applied the handbrake and there was a stone under the front wheel to block it. I don’t know why it slipped off later, but this statement has now aroused great doubts.

According to the prosecutor, the on-site inspection engineering vehicle was in neutral and did not have the handbrake on. So whether this is a mechanical reason or something else, it remains to be further investigated. As for the 50 victims, their bodies, 27 of them, were concentrated at the front of the car, which is Car No. 8, but many of them were damaged and the situation was horrific. There were dozens of victims last night, and beauty restoration technicians stayed up all night holding back tears while repairing the bodies.

The person in charge of the manufacturer involved was taken away by the police

It is reported that the person in charge of the manufacturer suspected of causing the accident has been taken away by Hualien police for questioning. The Hualien District Prosecutor's Office has sent an investigation team to the scene to find out the cause of the accident.

According to preliminary understanding, the cause of the accident is suspected to be caused by the engineering vehicle slipping from the side and hitting the train. According to the driver of the engineering vehicle involved, Li Mou, revealed during the police station interrogation, it may be that he forgot to pull the handbrake, causing the entire engineering vehicle to slip and hit the train. Arrive at the "Taroko" preparing to enter the tunnel.

The head of Taiwan’s transportation department apologized:

I am responsible

After the accident, Lin Jialong, the head of the transportation department of the Taiwan authorities who is a member of the Democratic Progressive Party, became the target of unanimous criticism by public opinion on the island. For this reason, Lin Jialong issued a statement to apologize at 4 pm on the 2nd, saying that he could not and would not leave at this time, but he would bear political responsibility.

Lin Jialong said in a statement that a major accident occurred on the Taiwan Railways' Taroko train. The shock and pain are unspeakable. Taiwan's transportation department will provide compensation to the driver and injured passengers in the future and will handle it properly with the highest standards. In addition, all traffic and transportation units have been asked to fully invest in transportation in the eastern part of the island.

Source Beijing Daily (ID: Beijing_Daily) Comprehensive Global Times, CCTV News, The Paper

Producer: Tong Shuquan

Editor: Zhang Xiaoying

Process Editor Wu Yue