TAIPEI —The driver of a train that derailed and killed 18 people this month apologized to victims’ families at an emotional memorial service in southern Taiwan on Wednesday after being accused of “professional negligence” by a court. It was the first time driver Yu Cheng-chung had spoken in public since the Puyuma Express derailed on October 21. Flags at government buildings in Taitung flew at half-mast in memory of the victims while Premier William Lai also attended the memorial service to pay his respects. A special cabinet task force has said its initial investigation also showed the ATP system was turned off at the time the train derailed and it was travelling at excessive speed. ADVERTISEMENTThe crash was the worst rail accident in Taiwan since 1991, when 30 passengers were killed and 112 injured after two trains collided in Miaoli in western Taiwan.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer October 31, 2018 10:41 UTC