TAIPEI (TVBS News) — A devastating collision between a gravel truck and a Kuo-Kuang Motor Transportation Company Ltd. (國光客運) bus claimed one life and injured 14 others Wednesday morning (July 23) in New Taipei City's Wanli (萬里) District. Police preliminarily determined the tractor-trailer crossed into oncoming traffic while navigating a curve, though investigators continue examining the exact cause. The accident occurred in the mountainous coastal district north of Taiwan's capital, highlighting ongoing road safety concerns on the island's winding highways.
The Highway Bureau (公路局) Taiwan's road transport authority reported that the tractor-trailer, license plate KLB-5525, was manufactured in April 1988 and maintained current registration status. The aging truck underwent its most recent safety inspection on June 25, 2025, just weeks before the fatal crash. The bus, license plate KKA-8176, was manufactured in October 2016 with valid registration and had completed its last mandatory inspection on April 15, 2025.
The bureau established an emergency response team to coordinate rescue efforts and investigate the deadly crash. Officials visited the injured at Keelung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital (基隆長庚醫院) at 11:10 a.m., distributing condolence and recovery money to victims and their families. The swift official response reflects Taiwan's standard protocol for major transportation accidents, emphasizing government accountability and victim support in the aftermath of such tragedies. ◼