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1 dead, 10 injured after crane crashes onto MRT train in central Taiwan

Crane boom collapses onto moving MRT train on Taichung's Green Line

May. 10, 2023 14:12

Interior of MRT carriage damaged by falling crane. (New-Reporter photo)

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Update: May 11, 9:40 a.m.

The total number of people injured is now up to 10 after another female passenger reported injuries, while another was found to have been sent to China Medical University Hospital at 8 p.m. on Wednesday (May 10), reported CNA.

On Thursday (May 11), TMRT announced that rush repairs on the damaged section of the track had been conducted throughout the night and were completed at 5 a.m. It confirmed that the track had been repaired, various systems were operating normally, and trains would resume normal operations on the Green Line at 6 a.m.

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A crane collapsed around noon on Wednesday (May 10) on top of a moving train from the Green Line of the Taichung Metro, killing one passenger and injuring eight.

At a construction project at the intersection of Wenxin South 5th Road and Wenxin Road in Taichung City's Nantun District, the boom of a crane collapsed at 12:29 p.m., reported CNA. It fell from the top of a building onto a moving Taichung MRT Green Line train near Feng-le Park Station.

When the crane hit the train, it tore through its side, shearing off sheets of metal, smashing glass windows, and sent some seats flying. The front of the train also sustained serious damage.

Police said among the eight injured passengers were two elementary school students whose feet were cut by falling glass. One foreign national was sent to a nearby hospital after suffering head lacerations.

The passenger who died was a 52-year-old woman surnamed Lin (林) who became trapped under the carriage when the accident occurred. When first responders were able to extricate the woman from under the carriage, they found that she had suffered severe head trauma and was showing no vital signs.

She was immediately placed in an ambulance, but died before reaching the hospital, reported SET News. The Taichung Fire Brigade said when the train was still moving, the boom fell and the woman was pushed out of the carriage, causing her to be crushed under the train.

The cause of the accident is currently under investigation. According to an announcement on the Taichung MRT website, trains from Beitun Main Station to Taichung City Hall Station and from Jiuzhangli Station to the HSR Taichung Station are currently providing partial service.

Screenshots show crane's boom falling off building. (Taichung City Police Department screenshots)