Prosecutors in Taiwan said Saturday they questioned the owner of an unmanned truck that rolled onto a rail track and caused the country’s worst train disaster in decades that killed 50 people and injured 178, though no charges have been filed.apnews. com reports.
The train was carrying 494 people at the start of a long holiday weekend on Friday when it smashed into the construction truck that slid down a hillside above the tracks, the Taiwan Railways Administration said. Many passengers were crushed just before the train entered a tunnel, while some survivors were forced to climb out of windows and walk along the train’s roof to safety.
Authorities initially reported 51 deaths but revised the count down by one on Saturday.
The truck’s emergency brake was not properly engaged, according to the government’s disaster relief center.
The district prosecutor’s office in eastern Hualien County, where the train derailed, confirmed it had interviewed the truck owner, among others, but was not ready to file charges. Prosecutorial staff were visiting a mortuary Saturday to examine the bodies, office spokeswoman Chou Fang-yi said.
President Tsai Ing-wen visited hospitals near the crash instead of the site itself so as not to interfere with rescue work, her spokesperson said.
“This heartbreaking accident caused many injuries and deaths. I came to Hualien today to visit the injured and express my condolences to the deceased passengers’ families,” Tsai said. “We will surely help them in the aftermath.”
Tsai told reporters Friday that she asked the Transportation Safety Committee to conduct a strict investigation.
Transportation Minister Lin Chia-lung said repairs will be accelerated.
“When such a thing happens, I feel very sorry and I will take full responsibility,” Lin said after touring the site.
