Gansu: One member of a Taiwanese tour group was killed and 12 others were injured when their tour bus rolled over in China's Gansu Province, the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF) announced. The group, consisting of more than 30 Taiwanese travelers, had embarked on their journey to China on Monday, with the accident involving a sightseeing vehicle carrying 15 passengers.
According to Focus Taiwan, of the 12 injured, nine remained under hospital observation as of Saturday afternoon. The SEF did not provide additional details regarding the circumstances or cause of the accident. However, efforts have been made to assist the injured and their families, with the SEF coordinating with the Taipei Association of Travel Agents, a local Taiwanese business association, the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), and the Ministry of the Interior for follow-up arrangements.
In a statement, the MAC extended condolences to the victim's family and emphasized its collaboration with the SEF to support those affected. The MAC also noted that the travel agency responsible for the tour had secured liability insurance for accidental death and medical expenses. Tourism authorities have instructed the agency to assist families in traveling to China to manage related matters.
There is uncertainty regarding the legality of the tour, as Taiwan continues to enforce a ban on organized travel to China. The Tourism Administration clarified that the group was a "self-arranged group of travelers and their relatives and friends," organized by Hsi Hung Travel Service Co. for a tour running from April 20 to May 1. However, the administration did not specify the legality of such arrangements under the existing travel ban.
Taiwan initially imposed the travel ban in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although there were plans to lift the ban in March 2024, it was maintained in June 2024 when China did not reciprocate by allowing Chinese groups to visit Taiwan. The decision was also influenced by China's unilateral adjustment of its flight route near the median line of the Taiwan Strait.