Dozens of people have died after the 408 Taroko Express, which was carrying about 350 people, derailed in a tunnel on the first day of a holiday period.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said emergency services had been fully mobilized to rescue and assist passengers and railway staff affected.

“In response to a train derailment in Hualien, Taiwan, our emergency services have been fully mobilized to rescue & assist the passengers & railway staff affected. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure their safety in the wake of this heartbreaking incident,” She tweeted.

The transport ministry said 36 passengers “had no signs of life”, and 44 others had been sent to hospital with injuries.

“Between 80 and 100 people have been evacuated from the front four carriages, while carriages five to eight were “deformed” and hard to access,” the fire department said.

On 21 October 2018, a passenger train derailed in Yilan County, Taiwan, killing 18 people and injuring 187.