Train Derailment Accident in Taiwan... At Least 36 Dead (Comprehensive)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] A train derailed inside a tunnel in eastern Taiwan, resulting in at least 36 fatalities.

According to local media such as Taiwan TVBS on the 2nd, Taiwan's fire authorities reported that around 9 a.m. that day, the Taroko Express No. 408 train, heading from New Taipei City's Shulin in northern Taiwan to Taitung, derailed inside the Hualien Daqingshui Tunnel.

Major international news outlets reported that the death toll from this accident is at least 36, and the number of casualties is expected to rise.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Initially, local Taiwanese media reported that 4 passengers died, 3 were seriously injured, and about 20 sustained minor injuries in this accident, but the number of deaths appears to have increased significantly since then.

The accident occurred when the train collided with a vehicle conducting construction work inside the tunnel.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

The train, consisting of a total of 8 cars, was carrying approximately 350 passengers. While 80 to 100 passengers evacuated from cars 1 to 4, cars 5 to 8 were severely crushed in the accident, making rescue efforts difficult.

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

Authorities including the Hualien Fire Department and police, who are managing the accident site, stated that they are trying to access the four severely damaged train cars inside the tunnel.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.