RAIL

2 April: Hualien, Taiwan

A Taiwanese passenger train carrying hundreds of passengers derailed a tunnel just north of Hualien. The eight car train came off the rails after hitting a truck which had slid down from an embankment onto the tracks. Some cars hit the sides of the tunnels. Fifty people were killed, including the train’s driver. Many others were injured. Rueters reported that authorities in Taiwan have sought an arrest warrant for a construction site manager whose truck may have caused the accident. He later reportedly apologized for the situation. Many people were traveling to hometowns for a public holiday known as Tomb Sweeping Day.