Bus accident in Taiwan,seven people killed

Seven people were killed and 23 injured when the tourist bus crashed into an oncoming vehicle on a steep mountain road near the Taiwanese capital of Taipei and plunged down a 50 meter precipice.

Photo: Bus accident in Taiwan,seven people killed

Hau Lung-pin said the crash occurred on Yangmingshan, a popular tourist spot north of Taipei.

"Seven people showed no signs of life," Hau said, speaking from the scene. "Twenty-three others have been taken to hospital for treatment of their injuries."

Hau said the accident occurred just after nightfall when the tourist bus slammed into another vehicle and plunged down the precipice. There were 38 passengers aboard the bus, he said.

A surviving passenger told ERA TV that just before the crash, the bus driver called out that he was having trouble applying the brakes.

No information was available of the nationalities of the crash victims.