When a Train Took a Wild Turn: Taiwan’s Biggest Rail Disaster in 27 Years
On a bright Sunday, the Puyuma Express – a high‑speed passenger train that rocks along Taiwan’s scenic east coast – went from a smooth journey to a chaotic crash, leaving 18 people dead and 187 injured. It’s the deadliest rail disaster we’ve seen since 1991.
The Tragic Twists of the Accident
- 18 victims were killed, including the youngest survivor‑turned‑soul, a nine‑year‑old.
<li 12‑ and 13‑year‑old junior‑high students from Taitung also lost their lives.
<li Seven of the eight carriages were derailed; five of them flipped onto their side.
<li The wreck left the train lying in a perfect zig‑zag across the tracks.
President Tsai’s Quick‑Response Call
Tsai Ing‑wen arrived in a hurry at Xinma Station – just yards from the disaster zone – and demanded a rapid investigation. “Everyone is concerned about the cause,” she told reporters, “and I’ve asked prosecutors to clarify the situation and the cause before long.”
Local Voices & Survivor Stories
One survivor, “Mrs. Chiu”, choked up when she explained how the wagon rattled excessively and jolted forward at “very fast” speed before striking.
“The train stopped twice and said it needed some repairs, but it restarted not long after,” she recalled. “We felt the speed was too fast, then there was a crash, and we were flung from our seats.”
“Many of us were sleeping,” she added, “so the chaos felt like a nightmare.”
On the chaotic scene, passengers barged through a window from inside, kicking it into the air to escape. The footage – shown on local TV – captures the panic and the way people fought to get out alive.
Historical Context: A Reminder of Hard Lessons
While stark, this tragedy is not entirely new. Back in 1991, a double‑train collision in western Miaoli killed 30 and injured 112. That incident, like today’s derailment, shook Taiwan’s confidence in rail safety and sparked a vigorous push for better maintenance and safety protocols.
Tsai thanked international allies – the United States and the European Union – for their condolences and urged the public to keep the victims and their families in thoughts.
In short, the Puyuma Express turned what should have been a ride for tourists into a nightmare, leaving a scar that will linger in the collective memory of Taiwan for years to come.
Feel the rhythm of history, feel the pulse of the rails – and let’s keep moving forward, but with safety that keeps us all on track.
