China is dispatching nine officials to Taiwan after a bus carrying Chinese tourists caught fire while traveling to Taoyuan International Airport on Tuesday. All 24 Chinese tourists died in the blaze, along with their driver and tour guide. This is the largest number of officials China has ever sent to Taiwan due to an accident. Taiwan’s Straits Exchange Foundation will accompany the officials during their trip.
At a meeting Wednesday, Premier Lin Chuan instructed officials on how to assist victims’ relatives. The tourism bureau has already set up a committee to deal with the needs of victims’ families. It is also in close contact with its Chinese counterpart to assist family members gain compensation. The justice ministry has also begun confirming the identity of the victims through DNA tests.