Relatives of the 49 people who died in a Taroko Express train crash in Hualien County last year gathered yesterday to commemorate their loved ones on the first anniversary of the incident.
More than 40 mourners gathered at the crash site near the Cingshuei Tunnel (清水隧道) for the commemoration.
An EMU3000 train with the number 408, the same as the one that crashed, stopped temporarily near the tunnel entrance to blow its horn in honor of the victims before continuing its southbound journey.
Photo: CNA
The Taiwan Railways Administration (TRA) said that the EMU3000 has been used in lieu of the Taroko Express since the incident.
Mourners comforted each other, with some saying that their loved ones had become angels and were now in a good resting place.
However, some were not as forgiving.
“Take back your money and bring back my son,” a victim’s father shouted, directing his anger at a TRA worker.
The event was attended by TRA Director-General Du Wei (杜微), TRA Deputy Director-General Feng Hui-sheng (馮輝昇), National Train Driver Union chairman Huang Lung-hua (黃隆華), Taiwan Railway Labor Union secretary-general Wu Chang-chih (吳長智) and other officials.
Seven automated alarm systems have been installed between the Heren Tunnel (和仁隧道) and Cingshuei Tunnel to warn drivers in case of an emergency, Hualien Station manager Wu Ching-tien (吳金添) said.
Wu said the TRA was working with National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology to test a mechanism that integrates alarm systems and trains serving the route, enabling them to automatically apply their brakes.
On April 2 last year, Taroko Express No. 408 was traveling from Shulin Station in New Taipei City to Taitung City when it at 9:28am hit a crane truck that had tumbled down a hillside onto the tracks near Cingshuei Tunnel, causing it to crash near its entrance.
All eight carriages, carrying 496 passengers, derailed, killing 49 people and injuring more than 200. It was the deadliest train crash in Taiwan in several decades.
After months of discussions, the TRA earlier this week agreed to pay NT$150 million (US$5.23 million) to the families of the victims.
The TRA yesterday held a separate commemoration at Taipei Railway Station.
Tropical depression TD22, which was over waters south of the Ryukyu Islands, is likely to develop into a tropical storm by this morning and pose a significant threat to Taiwan next week, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) said yesterday. The depression is likely to strengthen into a tropical storm named Krathon as it moves south and then veers north toward waters off Taiwan’s eastern coast, CWA forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. Given the favorable environmental conditions for its development, TD22’s intensity would reach at least typhoon levels, Hsu said. As of 2pm yesterday, the tropical depression was about 610km east-southeast of Taiwan proper’s
RESTRICTIONS: All food items imported from the five prefectures must be accompanied by radiation and origin certificates, and undergo batch-by-batch inspection The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday announced that almost all produce from five Japanese prefectures affected by the 2011 Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant disaster would now be allowed into Taiwan. The five are Fukushima, Gunma, Chiba, Ibaraki and Tochigi. The only items that would still be blocked from being imported into the nation are those that are still banned from being circulated in Japan, the FDA added. With the removal of the ban, items including mushrooms, the meat of wild birds and other wild animals, and koshiabura” (foraged vegetables) would now be permitted to enter Taiwan, along with the other
A new tropical storm is expected to form by early tomorrow morning, potentially developing into a medium-strength typhoon that is to affect Taiwan through Wednesday next week, the Central Weather Administration said today. There are currently two tropical systems circulating to the east of Taiwan, agency forecaster Hsu Chung-yi (徐仲毅) said. The one currently north of Guam developed into Tropical Storm Gebi this afternoon and is expected to veer toward Japan without affecting Taiwan, Hsu said. Another tropical depression is 600km from the east coast and is likely to develp into the named storm Krathon either late tonight or early tomorrow, he said. This
DIVA-READY: The city’s deadline for the repairs is one day before pop star Jody Chiang is to perform at the Taipei Dome for the city’s Double Ten National Day celebrations The Taipei City Government has asked Farglory Group (遠雄集團) to repair serious water leaks in the Taipei Dome before Friday next week, Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an (蔣萬安) said yesterday, following complaints that many areas at the stadium were leaking during two baseball games over the weekend. The dome on Saturday and Sunday hosted two games in tribute to CTBC Brothers’ star Chou Szu-chi (周思齊) ahead of his retirement from the CPBL. The games each attracted about 40,000 people, filling the stadium to capacity. However, amid heavy rain, many people reported water leaking on some seats, at the entrance and exit areas, and the