At least 48 killed by train derailment in eastern Taiwan

Update 1: Revises death and injury toll

Beijing, Apr 2 (efe-epa).- At least 48 people died and 118 were injured Friday following the derailment of a train in Hualien, Taiwan’s, according to government reports.

The country’s Transport Ministry said the train was traveling through the Daqingshui tunnel with about 350 passengers on board at the time of the incident, which occurred at about 09:28 (01:28 GMT.)

The Fire Department arrived at the scene and said “the preliminary visual inspection showed that there were no signs of life in many people,” CNA said, adding that those injured had been hospitalized.

The preliminary conclusion of the Taiwan Railway Administration was that the wrecked train derailed at the entrance of the tunnel when it collided with a maintenance vehicle that was badly parked next to the tracks.

As a result, several wagons collided with the walls of the tunnel, trapping some inside.

The Taiwan Railways Administration said service on the island’s eastern route is scheduled to resume at about 6:00 p.m. local time (10:00 GMT) Friday.

The wrecked vehicle had left Shulin, New Taipei, and was heading for the town of Taitung, in the southeast of the island. EFE-EPA

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