Families of the victims of last week’s TransAsia Airways crash have turned down an initial offer of compensation.
At a meeting on Wednesday, TransAsia Airways offered the families of those killed in last week’s crash NT$14.9 million (roughly US$500,000) in compensation per victim. This was to include NT$13.5 million per victim on top of the initial payments which the airline has already given as consolation and to help cover funeral expenses.
During the meeting, TransAsia spokesman Liu Chung-chi said that the figure is only an initial offer and acknowledged that many families are dissatisfied with the amount.
"This is a figure that we have proposed after a very short period of time," said Liu. "Allow me to put it this way: you cannot put any price on a life. No matter whether it’s 13.5 million or 14.9 million, it still cannot make up for even one ten-thousandth of what TransAsia Airways owes to each victim, each injured person, and each missing person. So this is where we are at this stage. We are seeking everyone’s understanding, everyone’s support, and a final settlement."
The airline also says that it will pay for survivors’ treatment, hospital stays and follow-up care.
Meanwhile, search and rescue personnel have discovered the bodies of two more victims near the crash site. This brings the confirmed death toll to 42. The body of one more passenger remains unaccounted for.