Falling rocks kill four on Taiwan trail; ex-minister declines comment
Translated from Chinese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Four people died after falling rocks struck a hiking group on Taiwan's Butterfly Valley Waterfall Trail.
- The victims were part of a 16-person group when the incident occurred near the 1.2-kilometer mark.
- Former Transportation Minister Tsai Chuei, a member of the group, appeared at the funeral home but declined to comment.
Tragedy struck Taiwan's Butterfly Valley Waterfall Trail when falling rocks killed four hikers and injured another. The victims were part of a 16-person group from Taipei who were hiking near the 1.2-kilometer mark of the trail when the deadly rockslide occurred around 3:13 p.m. yesterday.
Rescuers worked through the night to transport the bodies of the four deceased hikers โ identified as a 61-year-old man surnamed Yeh, a 63-year-old man surnamed Cheng, a 69-year-old woman surnamed Yao, and a 57-year-old woman surnamed Chi โ to the trailhead. They were subsequently moved to the Chongsheng Funeral Home in Taichung.
Prosecutors conducted autopsies today. Among those present at the funeral home was former Transportation Minister Tsai Chuei, who was also part of the hiking group. When approached by reporters, Tsai, who had previously expressed regret and shame over the incident, declined to comment, stating he needed to use the restroom.
I need to go to the restroom, please.
Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.