Relatives honor victims of Taiwan train accident

BEIJING - Relatives of those killed in a tourist train accident in Taiwan held a memorial ceremony on Tuesday, seven days after the tragedy that killed five mainland tourists and injured dozens.

Relatives of mainland victims killed in a train crash in Chiayi county, Taiwan, attend a memorial ceremony in Chiayi on Tuesday, seven days after the accident in accordance with tradition. Five people were killed and 107 injured after a falling tree derailed the train, carrying mostly mainland tourists, on April 27, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]

The private memorial ceremony was held in a funeral house in Chiayi county, southern Taiwan.

Some relatives cried so hard they lost their voice, although the ceremony was orderly, an official from the forestry authority surnamed Yang was quoted saying by Legal Evening News.

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Yang said Tuesday's memorial was open only to relatives and some officials, while a public memorial will be held on Thursday.

A train full of mainland tourists on the 100-year-old rail overturned in Chiayi on April 27 after being hit by a falling tree.

The accident has raised safety concerns as tourists from the mainland are being allowed to visit the island individually instead of in tour groups.

Authorities on the island held a meeting on Monday to deal with problems arising from the accident.

Vice-Director-General of the Taipei Association of Travel Agents, Peter Ting, said the remains of the victims will be cremated in Taiwan before relatives bring the ashes back to the mainland, according to the convention that has been followed since the opening of cross-Straits tourism.

Yet he admitted some relatives still hoped they could bring their loved ones back home for cremation.

Relatives of each victim will receive 1.3 million yuan ($200,200) in compensation.