The crash occurred near the Taroko Gorge scenic area on the first day of a long holiday weekend when many people were using Taiwan’s extensive rail system. Images from the scene showed derailed train cars wedged against the walls of the tunnel; part of the wall of one car had smashed into a seat. Railways news officer Weng Hui-ping called the crash Taiwan’s deadliest rail disaster. Taiwan’s last major rail crash was in October 2018 when an express train derailed while rounding a tight corner on the northeast coast, killing at least 18 people and injuring nearly 200. Those were said to the worst previous crashes on the railway system, which dates from the late 19th century.

Source: Los Angeles Times April 02, 2021 05:49 UTC