
(CNN)Taiwan’s transportation minister Lin Chia-lung has offered to resign after a deadly train crash Friday killed at least 51 people and left scores more injured according to the country’s state run Central News Agency (CNA).
Lin offered his verbal resignation in a phone call Sunday with Taiwan’s premier Su Tseng-chang, CNA reported, saying he wished to step down and take responsibility for the accident. Cabinet spokesperson Lo Ping-cheng told reporters that the Taiwanese premier commended Lin for showing accountability but declined to discuss the resignation.The busy passenger train was carrying 490 people to the country’s Taitung region on Friday morning, when it derailed in a tunnel in eastern Taiwan.The train came off the rails in a tunnel just north of Hualien, causing several carriages to hit the tunnel wall. At least 200 people were injured in the crash. Read MoreThe train driver is among the dead, according to Taiwan’s fire department. Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanRescuers remove parts of the derailed train in a tunnel north of Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, on April 3.Hide Caption 1 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA woman cries as families of the victims in a train crash mourn near Taroko Gorge in Hualien, Taiwan.Hide Caption 2 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanTaiwanese investigators inspect the wreckage of a yellow truck that authorities suspect hit the train.Hide Caption 3 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanWorkers help in the removal operation of the damaged train carriage.Hide Caption 4 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanRelatives of the victims who died on the derailed train pray at the accident site. Hide Caption 5 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA woman burns ghost money for the victims of the derailed train.Hide Caption 6 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA wide view of the mountains of Hualien County, where rescuers are removing parts of the derailed train.Hide Caption 7 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanWorkers try to remove a part of the derailed train.Hide Caption 8 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanRescuers work at the site where a train derailed inside a tunnel in eastern Taiwan on Friday, April 2.Hide Caption 9 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanEmergency personnel gather near the tunnel.Hide Caption 10 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanPart of the train’s wreckage can be seen in the tunnel.Hide Caption 11 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA member of the emergency crews rests near the site of the derailed train.Hide Caption 12 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanAn aerial view shows rescuers working at the site.Hide Caption 13 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanMembers of the Tzu Chi Foundation pay their respects as rescuers transfer bodies of crash victims at the Xincheng railway station.Hide Caption 14 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA victim’s family member uses a cell phone at the site of the crash.Hide Caption 15 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanPassengers are seen making their way through the tunnel alongside rescue workers.Hide Caption 16 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanRescuers transfer victims’ bodies at the Xincheng railway station.Hide Caption 17 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanAn aerial view shows rescue workers at the site.Hide Caption 18 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanEmergency workers move body bags inside the train.Hide Caption 19 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA section of the derailed train is seen cordoned off near the Toroko Gorge area.Hide Caption 20 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanA passenger is helped out of the train in this image made from a video released by hsnews.com.tw.Hide Caption 21 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanPassengers make their way out of the tunnel where the train derailed.Hide Caption 22 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanRescuers work at the site.Hide Caption 23 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanEmergency workers assist survivors as they evacuate the derailed train.Hide Caption 24 of 25
Photos: Deadly train derailment in TaiwanEmergency crews are seen in the tunnel beside the wreckage of the train.Hide Caption 25 of 25
The accident occurred just as a long weekend began for the nation’s Tomb Sweeping Day public holiday.One couple on the train told CNA they were on their way to Taitung to sweep tombs and pay their respects to deceased family members, as is traditional for the event. The train was so full that many people were standing, they said. Taiwan’s mountainous east coast is a popular tourist destination and the crash occurred just east of the picturesque Taroko National Park.Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen said Friday her government will “continue to do everything we can to ensure [passenger] safety in the wake of this heartbreaking incident.”Leaders of nearby countries have extended their sympathies to the victims and offered assistance to the Taiwanese authorities.
Source Link:
https://www.cnn.com/2021/04/04/asia/taiwan-minister-offers-resignation-intl/index.html
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