Hualien Mountain Crash: Tourist Bus Overturns on Steep Highway, Killing Two Passengers Instantly

Hualien, Taiwan— Two people died and at least 11 were injured when a tourist charter bus overturned on Provincial Highway 8 in Hualien County around 11:15 a.m. Saturday, blocking both lanes of the mountain route for hours.

The bus was carrying 28 passengers, most in their 50s and 60s, returning from a Taroko Gorge day tour. The vehicle missed a sharp left curve near the 168K marker in Xiulin Township, hit the guardrail, then tipped onto its side. The road was wet.

Police said the driver, a 52-year-old man with 18 years experience, survived. He told officers his brakes felt soft on the descent. Investigators have not confirmed mechanical failure. They are pulling the tachograph and dashcam footage.

Firefighters had to cut through the roof to reach passengers. Two women in the middle rows were crushed and showed no signs of life when pulled out. Paramedics treated injured tourists on the narrow shoulder while waiting for backup ambulances from Hualien City.

The Directorate General of Highways said the bus belonged to a Taipei-based operator with a clean inspection record from September. The company said it had serviced the brakes last week. A spokesperson for the company declined to release the service receipt.

This stretch of Highway 8 is notorious. Rockfalls, fog, and tight curves make it one of Taiwan's most dangerous roads. Local drivers have long complained about charter buses speeding to stay on schedule. A 2023 audit flagged insufficient escape ramps in the area.

The Ministry of Transportation said it will inspect all buses from the same fleet by Monday. Prosecutors in Hualien have started questioning the driver for negligent homicide. The Tourism Administration said it is checking whether the itinerary forced too much driving in one day.

Traffic was diverted via the old Suhua route until late afternoon. The wreckage was finally towed after 5 p.m. after a heavy crane was brought up the mountain.

Injured passengers remain at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Three are in intensive care. The highway has reopened but police are keeping a checkpoint at the curve.