Rail tragedy in Hualien: 36 die. Inaugural 'bubble flight' to Palau

A train derails in the east of the country. At least 44 were injured; more than 70 people still trapped in the wreckage. Most of the passengers were tourists traveling to Qingming, for the "grave cleaning" festival. About 100 Taiwanese tourists land on the Pacific archipelago.

Taipei (AsiaNews / Agencies) -  The provisional toll from a serious train crash in the east of the country this morning is 36 dead and 44 injured. Authorities report that the Taroko Express derailed in a tunnel near Hualien; several passengers escaped from the train breaking the window panes; more than 70 people are still trapped in the wreckage.

The train was carrying 350 people: it left Shulin station (Taipei) and was headed for Taitung. Many of the passengers were tourists traveling to Qingming, the "Grave Cleaning Festival," which is celebrated on April 4 to honor ancestors.

In 2018, another railway tragedy resulted in 18 deaths. Prior to today, the worst accident of its kind occurred in 1991, when a collision between two trains left 30 people dead and 112 others injured.

The disaster comes the day after Taiwan inaugurated the "bubble flight" to Palau. At least one hundred Taiwanese tourists reached the resort, accompanied by Surangel Whipps Jr., president of the small Pacific island state. The trip cost an average of 70 thousand Taiwanese dollars per person (about 2,085 euros).

It represents one of the first tourist agreements signed despite the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Taiwan is among the nations that have best overcome the health emergency; Palau is one of 15 governments with which Taipei has formal diplomatic relations.