TAIPEI – The Taiwan High Court has upheld a lower court ruling ordering Puyuma train driver You Zhenzhong and the Taiwan Railways Administration to pay millions in compensation to victims of the deadly 2018 derailment in Yilan County.
The incident, which occurred on October 21, 2018, claimed 18 lives and left 215 people injured after the train derailed while traveling from Shulin to Taitung. Investigations revealed that You had deactivated the Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system and was speeding when entering a curve, leading to the crash. He was later convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four years and six months in prison.
Among the civil cases, Ms. Xu, who sustained a lumbar fracture, cervical injuries, and a concussion, sought NT$4.68 million in damages. She was awarded NT$2.42 million in the first trial. Dong Xiaoling, who lost her mother in the accident, requested over NT$20 million in mental and funeral compensation but was granted NT$302,230. Both appealed, but the High Court rejected their claims and upheld the original verdict.
Other victims included Xie Peibo, the youngest person seriously injured in the crash at just six years old. He suffered multiple severe head and limb injuries, resulting in lifelong disability. The court awarded him NT$19.49 million—an amount that went uncontested by any party. Dong Xinchen, the youngest member of the Dong family, received NT$49,400 in compensation, which also stood without appeal.
The Taiwan Railways Administration argued that the crash resulted from You’s personal negligence, citing regular driver training and safety briefings. However, the court maintained that both You and the agency bore joint responsibility for the victims’ suffering.
In total, the Yilan District Court had ordered combined compensation of NT$22.27 million in the first instance. With the High Court’s decision, Ms. Xu and Dong Xiaoling’s appeals have been dismissed, though they may still pursue further legal action.
