At least 12 fatalities have been confirmed after TransAsia Airways flight 235 clipped a bridge and crashed into a river in Taipei.
The flight was carrying a total of 58 passengers when the accident occurred. In addition to the confirmed fatalities, 16 people have reportedly been injured, while 30 are still unaccounted for. Rescue teams have been deployed to the crash site in order to rescue several passengers still trapped within the aircraft.
Flight 235, operated by an ATR 72 – a twin-engine short-haul turboprop aircraft, had just departed from Taipei Songshan Airport and was heading to the outlying Kinmen islands when the accident occurred.
Video footage of the crash has been recorded from passing cars travelling on the bridge, and clearly show the aircraft hitting the structure, damaging its wings.
The exact circumstances of the accident are still unknown, but the Taiwanese Aviation Safety Council are expected to launch a full investigation.
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific will monitor the situation, and update this space accordingly.
UPDATE
Reports have confirmed that the death toll for the accident has since risen to 31.
For more information, visit tna.com.tw/en
Clement Huang
