TransAsia plane crashes in Taiwan river- 15 killed, 30 missing
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ryViy7p8BSg
The crash was caught on the dashcam of a car driving through the bride. It shows the plane clipping a bridge shortly after take-off this morning from Taipei's Sungshan Airport and crashing into the Keelung river.
The plane's wings also hit a taxi on the freeway, seriously injuring the driver. Rescue workers are currently at the scene and have been able to pull people alive from the wreckage. But they believe most of the people in front of the plane are like to have lost their lives as they continue rescue efforts. See the dramatic photos and video of the crash after the cut...
The Taiwanese Central Disaster Response Centre issued the statement below about the crash
The plane lost contact at 10.53am on and was found in Keelung river in Taipei. The ministry of transportation contacted the disaster response centre 20 minutes later.
Confirmed on the flight are 53 passengers and five crew members, totalling 58 people. Taipei city rescue teams are in operation, having rescued 16 people who were admitted to a nearby hospital, with two announced dead on arrival.
Several fire engines, ambulances, water craft and almost 170 rescue staff have been dispatched.
Injured Chinese child confirmed
One of the passengers injured in the crash was a child from China, writes Jon Kaiman in Beijing.
The manager of the Taiwanese travel agency Flying Tourism told the Guardian that among 15 mainland Chinese tourists on the plane who were travelling with the agency, he had only confirmed one injured passenger – one of the two infants on board.He had no information on the remaining 14 people. “We are only local guides,” said the man, who gave his name as Mr. Hsu. “It was a six day, five night travel package. The tour group arrived in Kaohsiung on 30 Jan and left Taipei this morning.”
Updated
TransAsia has issued a statement on its Facebook page which repeats the televised apology offered by its chief executive.
The statement says 13 people were killed in the crash. Those injured include a child, it says.
There continue to be conflicting reports about the number of people killed, injured and missing in the crash. Channel News Asia is now reporting that 19 people are confirmed dead, with 15 injured and further 24 “awaiting rescue”.
