Thirty-two people have been confirmed dead in what has been described as Taiwan’s worst road accidents in years.
The vehicle was carrying 45 people in the Nangang district of the country’s capital – including the driver and tour guide – when it flipped over and crashed on an exit ramp, The Australian reported. According to one of the investigators, the accident “happened on a curve”, which caused the bus to tip.
“The whole frame of the bus changed shape”, he said and found “crushed” by police officers.
Bodies are covered at the scene of a crash where a bus collided with a car on a highway,killing over 30 people,#Taipei, #Taiwan,Feb. 13,@AP pic.twitter.com/jkwm4KTwcn
— ✌☮#UpTheRebels☮✌ (@Chara_fc) February 13, 2017
At least 32 people were killed in the accident and another 13 have been left injured, some suffering serious wounds.
Local news claim that the bus was carrying mostly older travellers of Chinese descent who were on their way to see the cherry blossoms in central Taiwan.
A government spokesperson said that so far there is no confirmed cause for the crash, however, some reports suggest that the vehicle may have been too old to be in operastion or perhaps speeding down the road.
#BreakingNews : At least 32 people were killed after a tour bus crashed near Taipei. #Taipei pic.twitter.com/LDZgSSOitK
— Deepak Singh | दीपक सिंह (@DeepakSinghNews) February 13, 2017
Taipei Deputy Mayor Teng Chia-chi stressed that police are investigating all possibilities and will issue a report “when the cause is clarified”.
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen issued a statement, offering her condolences for the victims and their families.