17 killed after express train derails in Taiwan
YILAN (Taiwan): At least 17 people have died after an express train derailed and flipped over on a popular coastal route in Taiwan yesterday.
The Taiwan Railways Administration confirmed 17 people had been killed and said 132 people had also been injured in the accident in northeastern Yilan county.
Authorities have not confirmed if any passengers remain trapped alive inside the train.
A reporter at the scene said more bodies were being brought out of the wrecked carriages.
Images from the site showed the Puyuma Express train completely derailed and lying zigzagged across the track.
All of the train’s eight carriages had derailed and five had flipped onto their side at Xinma station, the railways administration said.
One passenger told Apple Daily Taiwan that the train had been shaking during the journey.
Taiwan authorities said the accident had happened at 4.50pm local time with no cause yet given.
The railways administration said there had been 366 people on board the service en route to the southern city of Taitung.
The Defence Ministry said it had sent in 120 soldiers to help the rescue.
President Tsai Ing-wen described the accident as a “major tragedy” in a tweet yesterday evening.
“My thoughts are with all the victims and their families,” she added.