Taiwan train derails in tunnel, reportedly killing 36 people

The eight-car train had been traveling from the Taipei area to the eastern coastal city of Taitung when the accident occurred at 9:28 am in a tunnel located north of Hualien, Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung said.

The train came off the rails causing several carriages to hit the walls of the tunnel, the government-run Central News Agency reported.

Taiwanese local media reported that the train apparently collided with a construction vehicle, leading to the derailment.

In fact, a yellow trailer vehicle could be seen lying on its side next to the derailed train at the tunnel entrance in the videos that have surfaced from the accident spot.

Photos circulating on social media also suggested the train suffered serious damage.

The Taiwan Railways Administration said that it has launched an investigation.

Meanwhile, local media reports said that the train driver has been missing.

Around 60 people have been safely evacuated from the first three cars, according to the Central News Agency.

Transportation Minister Lin informed that he has ordered officials to prepare a disaster response center to manage the situation.

Reportedly, the Taroko Express is one of the fastest train services in Taiwan and typically travels at around 80 miles per hour.

Today was the start of the annual "Tomb Sweeping" holiday, a time when Taiwan sees a surge in travel.

Tsai Ing-wen, the President of Taiwan, called it a "heartbreaking incident" in a tweet this morning.

This is the deadliest rail mishap to take place in Taiwan in several decades.

In 2018, a Puyuma Express train had derailed in the island's Yilan County, reportedly killing 18 people and injuring 170.

Back in 1981, a train collision in Miaoli County, located in the island's northwest region, had claimed the lives of 31 people.