Taipei: The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) announced on Monday the establishment of two emergency operation centers in response to a catastrophic traffic incident in New Taipei’s Sanxia District, which resulted in the deaths of at least three pedestrians and left 12 others injured.
According to Focus Taiwan, Transportation Minister Chen Shih-kai stated that one emergency operation center has been set up at the headquarters of the Highway Bureau in Taipei, while the other is located at the Taipei Motor Vehicles Office. Minister Chen is set to oversee the operations of these centers throughout Tuesday, having canceled his previously scheduled engagements to focus on managing the aftermath of the tragedy.
The ministry reported swift communication with the New Taipei City government shortly after the incident to assess the situation and determine the need for additional assistance. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo conveyed that President Lai Ching-te was profoundly shocked and saddened by the incident, and he immediately directed the Executive Yuan to form a task force to monitor the situation closely, coordinate medical resources, and dedicate efforts to rescue and support those injured and their families. President Lai also called for a swift investigation into the cause of the accident.
Both President Lai and Premier Cho Jung-tai visited three hospitals on Monday evening to check on the injured. They instructed hospital staff to provide the highest standard of care and treatment. The incident occurred around 4 p.m. when a vehicle struck pedestrians at a zebra crossing near Bei Da Elementary School, claiming the lives of three individuals and injuring 12 others, including the vehicle’s driver, as confirmed by police and fire officials.
Local authorities reported that among the deceased were two female students in their teens and a woman in her 40s. The MOTC revealed that the driver, a 78-year-old man surnamed Yu, had passed a senior-specific driving license renewal test on February 20, and his renewed license is valid until February 19, 2028. Yu’s vehicle, manufactured in March 2003, was due for its next roadworthiness inspection on September 30. The car was also insured, with the policy valid until April 29, 2026.
In response, the MOTC expressed its commitment to assisting the New Taipei City government in determining the cause of the accident. Concurrently, the Ministry of Health and Welfare confirmed with the city government that sufficient first aid resources are available to manage the injured, and it plans to establish a communication platform to offer necessary support to the city’s health department.