HUALIEN (TVBS News) — The Taiwan Hualien District Court (花蓮地院) has ordered contractors, including Lee Yi-hsiang (李義祥), to jointly pay NT$23,266,692 in damages following the Taroko Express train accident, holding them 60% liable. Taiwan Railway Corporation (台鐵) bears 40% negligence responsibility.
The Taroko Express train (太魯閣號) accident on April 2, 2021, occurred at the north entrance of the Qingshui Tunnel in Hualien, where a crane truck fell onto the tracks, causing a collision that killed 49 people and injured over 200. Taiwan Railway Corporation compensated each victim's family with NT$15.7 million before suing Lee and other contractors.
The court found that Lee violated a suspension order and failed to report the truck's malfunction, leading to the accident. The judge held Lee's partners jointly responsible. Additionally, the court ruled that Taiwan Railway failed to fulfill its inspection duties, attributing 40% of the blame to it.
The court upheld Taiwan Railway Corporation's claims for medical, funeral, and other expenses for each victim, totaling over NT$170 million. The decision allows for an appeal.
The ruling underscores the need for stringent safety measures and accountability in public infrastructure projects. Observers will closely watch if the involved parties choose to appeal the decision.