Train Derails In Taiwan, Dozens Of People Feared Dead

A packed train in eastern Taiwan on Friday derailed inside a tunnel with dozens of people believed to have been killed.

According to the Central Emergency Operation Center, the eight-car train, carrying some 350 passengers was making its way from Taipei to the southeastern city of Taitung.

They said the accident occurred on Taiwan’s eastern railway line around 9.30am local time near the coastal city of Hualien.

They added that rescuers were trying to get to four carriages inside the tunnel that were badly damaged and difficult to access.

In their latest rescue operation update, police said 36 passengers were classified as showing no signs of life. They added that 72 people were still trapped inside train carriages while 61 passengers had been sent to hospital.

In addition, the Taiwan Railways Administration issued a separate statement stating that several of the passengers were without signs of life, as was confirmed by the local fire department.

The accident occurred at the start of the busy annual Tomb Sweeping festival, which is a long holiday weekend when Taiwan’s roads and railways are usually packed.