Freight train, Puyuma incidents disrupt rail services in eastern Taiwan

Taipei, May 28 (CNA) Collisions between a freight train and a utility pole and a Puyuma Express train and an overhead power line disrupted northbound and southbound services at Chishang Station in Taitung on Thursday.

Freight train No. 7602 derailed after several rail cars rolled away unexpectedly during switching operations inside the station at 11:15 a.m., hitting a utility pole, the state-owned Taiwan Railway said in a news release.

Later at 12:20 p.m., a northbound Puyuma Express train No. 417 snagged and broke a power line when departing from the station, according to the company.

While the two incidents happened in close proximity, Taiwan Railway has yet to confirm they were related.

Due to power line failures following the two incidents, southbound trains have been forced to terminate at Fuli Station in Hualien and northbound trains at Guanshan Station, where replacement shuttle buses have been arranged.

Four trains -- No. 653 from Guanshan to Changhua County, No. 419 from Chishang to Shulin in New Taipei, No. 417 from Chishang to Hualien, and No. 421 from Taitung to Hualien -- have been suspended following the power failure, it added.

Taiwan Railway said that passengers who were unable to take trains due to service disruptions may request refunds within one year of the travel date by presenting unused tickets at station counters, with no cancellation fee.

Refunds through other channels will follow the rules of the respective provider and may include a handling fee, the company said.

Taiwan Railway said it has dispatched repair crews and equipment to the site and activated a Level 1 emergency response team along with an eastern regional response unit to handle the accidents and their aftermath.