Taiwan rail accident causes 36 deaths , the worst in its history

A passenger train in Taiwan carrying 350 people derailed in a tunnel just north of Hualien while running from the Taipei area to Taitung killing at least 34 people according to the authorities.

Some 70 people are reportedly still trapped in the train cars, around 60 were taken to the hospital while 80 to 100 people were rescued from the crashed train.

According to the government-run Central News Agency, which cited the fire department, the eight-car train derailedcausing many carriages to crash into the walls of the tunnel.

The train appeared to have collided with a large truck, triggering the derailment, according to local news reports. A passenger's recorded video shows a yellow trailer truck lying on its side next to the derailed train near the tunnel's entrance.

The passenger recording the video is heard saying “Our train crashed into this truck,” he further added, “The truck rolled down and now the whole train is deformed.”

Hualien county police chief Tsai Ding-hsien seconded the claim and confirmed, "There was a construction vehicle that didn't park properly and slid onto the rail track," he added, "This is our initial understanding, and we are clarifying the cause of the incident."

Some carriages inside the tunnel were torn apart by the accident and others were crumpled, making it difficult for rescuers to reach passengers. This train accident is one of the worst rail disasters in Taiwan.

The accident occurred during the first day of the four-day Tomb Sweeping Festival, a religious festival which involves people travelling to their hometowns for family reunions and to worship at their ancestors' graves.