The Taipei District Prosecutors’ Office yesterday summoned seven people for questioning in connection with a river tracing accident on Sunday in New Taipei City where five people died.
Prosecutors questioned leaders and coaches of the river tracing group, organized by Eco Pink Bird, a subsidiary of Taipei-based Climbing Adventure Co.
The seven — Climbing Adventure owner Chen Yi-hsun (陳怡勳), Yang Chin-kuei (楊今圭) and five river tracing coaches — were released after questioning, while prosecutors said they were likely to bring charges of professional negligence in causing death.
The company was asked why it decided to go ahead with the trip, despite a heavy rain warning issued on Sunday for New Taipei City by the Central Weather Bureau.
The accident occurred at about noon at the Tainiuliao River (?牛寮溪) in mountainous terrain in the city’s Pinglin District (坪林) when a downpour sent gushing waters cascading downstream and washed away eight of the 24 people participating in the river tracing activity.
According to officials present at the questioning by Taipei District Prosecutor Hsiao Hui-ching (蕭惠菁), the seven said they were tending to the participants when high waters hit the group and washed eight people away.
Eco Pink Bird employees said that after checking the weather forecast and the on-site weather situation, they decided it was safe to proceed with the activity.
They said they were surprised when heavy rains caused the river to burst into torrents of rushing waters, which led to the accident.
After examination by forensic doctors, officials said the three victims found on Sunday had drowned, adding that they have contacted their relatives to retrieve the bodies.
Investigators said that Eco Pink Bird has no license for conducting outdoor activities and is suspected of conducting an illegal business through a shell company.
Attempts to call its offices, which is listed at a municipal sports center in Taipei’s Wanhua District (萬華), have failed, as its telephone line has been disconnected.
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