Taiwan tourist train crashes

Taiwan tourist train crashes

The incident occurred as the train was passing a bridge

A tourist train carrying over 100 passengers has derailed on a mountain track in Taiwan's central Chiayi area, officials said.

At least 14 people were killed and 30 others injured after three of four carriages overturned and one plunged into a ravine, forestry officials said.

A rescue helicopter crash-landed after picking up casualties. No-one was killed.

The derailment happened near Alishan mountain, one of the country's most popular tourist destinations, at around 1400 (0600 GMT).

Trapped

The train was carrying about 130 people, many of them families enjoying a weekend trip, when the incident happened, said forestry official Li Chen-chuan.

The death toll could rise further as some passengers may be trapped in or under the wreckage.

Cable news station, ETV, has shown footage of carriages lying among trees in the mountainous terrain.

Passengers have described how the train left the tracks after crossing an iron bridge and knocking into the mountainside.

One carriage immediately fell into a ravine, while two others were left suspended in mid-air, Mr Li said.

Vertiginous route

The cause of the accident is not known but passengers have told reporters that the train seemed to be travelling at high speed at the time.

Many of the injured were ferried out by helicopter

Emergency workers are at the scene, but their efforts are being hampered by the rough terrain; there is only one winding road to the site.

TV footage showed rescue workers trudging up steep mountain slopes and through thick vegetation, carrying stretchers.

The historic alpine train at Alishan weaves its way to and from the summit of the mountain along a scenic route sided by sheer drops and overhanging rocks.

Many tourists travel up the mountain in the early hours to witness the sun rise from the summit.