Sat, Apr 25, 2009 - Page 1 News List

Two PRC tourists killed in crane crash in Taipei

By Shelley Shan and Mo Yan-chih  /  STAFF REPORTERS

The Tourism Bureau said the group’s local agent was Taipei International Travel Co.

INSURANCE

Each member of the tour group had been insured by the travel agency for up to NT$3 million (US$89,000) in case of death or accident.

They also have medical insurance coverage of up to NT$200,000.

Taipei International Travel has hired nurses to look after the injured travelers.

Travel Agent Association chairman Yao Ta-kuan (姚大光) said it had arranged for the members of the tour group who were not injured in the accident to rest at the Eslite Bookstore first before sending them to a hotel.

Three of these tourists said they felt unwell and were accompanied by the representative of Taipei International Travel to Tri-Service General Hospital for examination.

Yao said that the China Travel Service Gongbei Port Guangdong Co, which organized the group in China, would bring the families of those who died or were injured in the accident to Taiwan.

FAMILY

Straits Exchange Foundation spokesman Maa Shaw-chang (馬紹章) said the foundation would help in handling affairs, including facilitating entry permits for the families of the tour group.

The tour bus was owned by Tong Shun Co (統順通運), the Ministry of Transportation and Communications said.

The bus was past its inspection date, which was March 19.

The vehicle license, which has been renewed regularly, expires in 2011.

The driver, Wen Lien-tsai (溫蓮財), had a valid license for driving tour buses.

The tragedy yesterday marked the second accident in which Chinese tourists have died or were injured.

The first accident happened two years ago, when six Chinese tourists from Dalian in Liaoning Province died in a traffic accident in Nantou County.

ADDITIONAL REPORTING BY SHELLEY HUANG AND AGENCIES

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