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The train that crashed on the east coast of Taiwan. Image: keystone
Taiwan mourns train accident victims: arrest warrant for construction site manager
The day after Taiwan’s worst train accident in 70 years, the island republic mourned the at least 50 victims of the disaster. Flags were flown at half mast Saturday as investigations into the cause of the accident continued.
At first it was said that at least 51 people had died. On Friday night, authorities corrected this number to 50 due to a counting error. In addition, at least 178 people were injured.
Family members mourn the victims of the train accident. Image: keystone
The train with 492 passengers on board collided with a construction vehicle shortly before entering a tunnel in Hualien County on Friday and then derailed as it passed. The truck was parked near a construction site above the tunnel and slid downhill.
As reported by the state news agency CNA, the Hualien prosecutor requested an arrest warrant against a construction site manager who presumably had not applied the vehicle’s brake correctly. The prosecutor began questioning the man on Friday night, but had to stop when he got too excited, the agency reported.
The employee was released on bail on Saturday, but is not allowed to leave the country. Vice Minister of Transport and Communications Wang Kwo-tsai said there was no security fence at the construction site, contrary to what was required. (sda / dpa)
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