Truck driver, contractor to be sued for compensation in train crash
04/05/2021 09:52 PM
Lee Yi-hsiang . CNA file photo
Taipei, April 5 (CNA) The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) will file suit demanding compensation from the truck driver and contractor suspected of being responsible for a deadly train crash in which 50 people died and 208 were injured.
Deputy Transport Minister Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材) said the ministry will sue Lee Yi-hsiang (李義祥), the driver of the crane truck that likely caused the April 2 crash, and Tung Hsin Construction Company (東新營造公司), the contractor of the construction site above the site of the accident.
The ministry has also asked the Hualien District Court to seize the assets of Lee and Tung Hsin Construction Company as a preemptive move to prevent them from transferring their assets to other parties, Wang said.
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President, government officials donate salaries for TRA train crash
04/05/2021 04:45 PM
President Tsai Ing-wen. CNA file photo
Taipei, April 5 (CNA) Taiwan s top government officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), will donate one month s salary to the victims of the tragic April 2 train crash that took place in Hualien County, Presidential Office spokesperson Xavier Chang (張惇涵) said Monday.
Tsai, Vice President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) will donate the money to exclusive accounts designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW), said Chang.
A Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) Taroko Express train bound from New Taipei for Taitung County hit a crane truck on the track near the entrance to the Qingshui Tunnel in Hualien County on Friday at 9:28 a.m.
Train crash injuries rise to 200; resumption of service postponed
04/04/2021 02:54 PM
Workers pulling out parts of the train stuck in the tunnel. CNA photo April 4, 2021
Taipei, April 4 (CNA) The number of people injured in an express train accident in Hualien County last week has increased to 200, while the confirmed death toll remains at 51, the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) reported Sunday.
Among the injured individuals, 45 are still in hospital, including three in critical condition, said CEOC commander and Deputy Transport Minister Wang Kwo-tsai (王國材).
Meanwhile, authorities have confirmed the identities of 48 of the deceased, and the other two are likely to be identified later in the day, according to the CEOC.
Transport Minister offers resignation after deadly train crash
04/04/2021 02:40 PM
Lin Chia-lung. CNA photo April 4, 2021
Taipei, April 4 (CNA) Minister of Transportation and Communications Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) has offered a verbal resignation in the wake of a deadly train crash two days ago, the Cabinet spokesperson said Sunday.
In a phone call, Lin told Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌) that he wished to step down, to take responsibility for the express train crash in eastern Taiwan that killed 51 people and injured about 200, Cabinet spokesman Lo Ping-cheng (羅秉成) told reporters.
In response, Su commended Lin for wanting to show accountability but said that the focus right now is on repairing the railway line that was damaged during Friday s accident, according to Lo.