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Taiwan minister accepts responsibility for train crash as questions mount

15 Comments
By Ann Wang and Damon Lin

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Nearly 50,000 people were killed in accidents along tracks and on trains across India from 2015 to 2017, according to Indian Railways data.

Comparing Taiwan, a first world nation, to a 3rd world nation, is not really helpful. Of course India is much more dangerous than a first world nation - in every aspect of life.

Comparing yourself to the worst is not helpful. Taiwan should aspire to Japans railways.

Taiwanese people deserve a safer train network. Simple as that.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Taiwan has a total of 1,500 km of railway track, and there have been 100 deaths in accidents during the past 30 years. In contrast, China has 200,000 km of track, and there were 1,000 deaths in the same period.

I think knowing how many trains move along those tracks would help in any comparison.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@Joey s, your comment about there safety record is appalling, i beg to differ its quite good in comparison with other countries like India, although Taiwan could do more to improve.

An average of 10 people die on the network every day, either from falling off crowded trains or while crossing the tracks.

Nearly 50,000 people were killed in accidents along tracks and on trains across India from 2015 to 2017, according to Indian Railways data.

"She could not find her daughter. When she yelled, she found her daughter was under the steel panels. She put her effort to move those pieces one by one, but her daughter's voice became quieter and quieter, and then there was no response," he said.

This comment put a lump in my throat, it must be heart breaking being in her situation, god bless them and may they rest in peace

3 ( +4 / -1 )

It is unsatisfying when someone at the top takes responsibility for problems they didn't directly cause.

The story doesn't provide facts for the root cause to be known yet.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Well said Alan!

-1 ( +5 / -6 )

Like most accidents, a whole range of unforseen circumstances come together.

But it is good to see that the operator of the vehicle involved has been given police bail while all circumstances are investigated. A far cry from the lynch mob attitude of Japan and it's appalling rule of law. (I don't think Japan knows what bail is).

-2 ( +7 / -9 )

Sack this minister immediately. The buck simply must stop at the top.

As others have correctly stated, the transport safety standards for trains in Taiwan are appalling. Compare that to their world leading Covid approach, and it's mind boggling.

Get some independent Japanese railway engineers in to conduct an audit of the grid, and lay out how to make it world class.

-6 ( +3 / -9 )

robert maesToday  04:34 pm JST

What responsibility ? A truck fell on the track and caused the accident. I see no responsibility here for the minister of transportation.

it was not a train service accident, no system malfunction.

No fence or barrier along the train line!!!

-7 ( +3 / -10 )

Taiwan is a small island, with about 23 million people. Yet, their railway safety record is appalling.

"Taiwan's last major rail crash was in October 2018 when an express train derailed while rounding a tight corner on the northeast coast, killing at least 18 people and injuring nearly 200. In 1991, a collision in western Taiwan killed 30 people and injured 112 in its deadliest train accident."

Taiwan has a total of 1,500 km of railway track, and there have been 100 deaths in accidents during the past 30 years. In contrast, China has 200,000 km of track, and there were 1,000 deaths in the same period.

By this measure, Taiwan's trains are more than 10 times more dangerous than those in China.

Data source: Wikipedia

0 ( +6 / -6 )

robert maesToday  04:34 pm JST

What responsibility ? A truck fell on the track and caused the accident. I see no responsibility here for the minister of transportation.

You're right but it's a Democratic East Asian Country thing. Unlike China where they either bury the facts or they nail a scapegoat to the wall.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Agreed with Robert Mass and his logic.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

Blame game. If it was caused by a typhoon they would blame China.

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

This accident was just bad luck and nothing to do with the superb administators and infrastuture of the train system.

5 ( +8 / -3 )

What responsibility ? A truck fell on the track and caused the accident. I see no responsibility here for the minister of transportation.

it was not a train service accident, no system malfunction.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

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