At least thirteen were killed and 10 injured when a TransAsia Airways ATR 72 jet en route from Taipei to Kinmen crashed in the Keelung River after hitting a bridge at around 11 am on Wednesday morning. Before impact, the pilot radioed Sungshan Airport a “Mayday” with engine flame out. Other reports say 16 were injured and 30 people missing from Flight 235. Two people in a taxi on the bridge were also injured. The plane was airborne for three minutes before trying to turn around and crashing.
Two tour groups, Xiamen Airlines International Travel Service Co. and the Xiamen Tourism Group International Travel Service Co. from mainland China (from Xiamen) were aboard. The plane was less than a year old with only 684 flight hours and powered by Pratt & Whitney PW100-127M engines.
A search helicopter, a hovercraft, 9 ambulances, 10 fire trucks, and police divers in wet suits are among those who responded to the scene. Rescue efforts are underway, with plans to lift the fuselage by crane in an attempt to rescue survivors trapped inside. Underwater visibility in this very polluted river is very limited, according to divers.
