TAIPEI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- A small train overturned in Taiwan's Ali Mountain area on Wednesday, killing at least five tourists and injuring more than 100 as of 11:00 p.m. local time.
The deceased, all female, were confirmed to be mainland tourists from tour groups, according to Taiwan authorities.
Sources with the Chiayi fire department say a tree branch had broken and fallen over the railway line, which hit the last carriage and then caused several carriages to overturn.
"There was a loud clattering sound, and we thought it was an earthquake. But later we knew that huge tree branches smashed into a carriage," recalled Chen Zhenbin, 58, from the Wenzhou city in eastern Zhejiang Province, after being sent to the St. Martin De Porres Hospital in Chiayi.
Chen told Xinhua that he and his two sisters were sitting in the eighth carriage when the accident happened.
"The sixth, seventh and eighth carriages were overturned, but our carriage was stopped by the trees at the side of the road and didn't roll too far," Chen said, adding that the three of the passengers later climbed out of the upside-down carriage.
"I heard tourists in the sixth and seventh carriages shouting for help. We went there quickly and helped pull people out. But still, some were crushed under the carriage and didn't stand a chance," Chen said.
As of 11:00 p.m., a total of 112 members from the tour groups, including the five deceased and 18 seriously injured, had been sent to nearby hospitals, according to Xinhua's tally based on Taiwan authorities and the Chiayi county government.
A spokesperson with the St. Martin De Porres Hospital told Xinhua that among 40 received by the hospital, one died prior to arrival and the rest were in a stable condition. Most of them had minor wounds such as bruises on faces and limbs.
"We will save the injured at all costs with the Taiwan side," said Liu Kezhi, director of the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association's Taipei office, as he visited the hospital.
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http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/27/c_13848287.htm
The deceased, all female, were confirmed to be mainland tourists from tour groups, according to Taiwan authorities.
Sources with the Chiayi fire department say a tree branch had broken and fallen over the railway line, which hit the last carriage and then caused several carriages to overturn.
"There was a loud clattering sound, and we thought it was an earthquake. But later we knew that huge tree branches smashed into a carriage," recalled Chen Zhenbin, 58, from the Wenzhou city in eastern Zhejiang Province, after being sent to the St. Martin De Porres Hospital in Chiayi.
Chen told Xinhua that he and his two sisters were sitting in the eighth carriage when the accident happened.
"The sixth, seventh and eighth carriages were overturned, but our carriage was stopped by the trees at the side of the road and didn't roll too far," Chen said, adding that the three of the passengers later climbed out of the upside-down carriage.
"I heard tourists in the sixth and seventh carriages shouting for help. We went there quickly and helped pull people out. But still, some were crushed under the carriage and didn't stand a chance," Chen said.
As of 11:00 p.m., a total of 112 members from the tour groups, including the five deceased and 18 seriously injured, had been sent to nearby hospitals, according to Xinhua's tally based on Taiwan authorities and the Chiayi county government.
A spokesperson with the St. Martin De Porres Hospital told Xinhua that among 40 received by the hospital, one died prior to arrival and the rest were in a stable condition. Most of them had minor wounds such as bruises on faces and limbs.
"We will save the injured at all costs with the Taiwan side," said Liu Kezhi, director of the Cross-Strait Tourism Exchange Association's Taipei office, as he visited the hospital.
Read More
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/china/2011-04/27/c_13848287.htm
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