A Taiwan tour group accident in China’s Gansu province has claimed one life. The Straits Exchange Foundation announced the details on Saturday. A sightseeing vehicle carrying 15 passengers overturned. The accident killed one member of the Taiwanese tour group. Nine of the 12 injured remained under hospital observation as of Saturday afternoon.
The tour operated under Hsi Hung Travel Service Co. from April 20 to May 1. The SEF did not offer specific details about the accident cause.
The SEF contacted the Taipei Association of Travel Agents after receiving the report. It is now working with the Mainland Affairs Council on follow up arrangements. The MAC expressed condolences to the victim’s family. It said it is working through the SEF to assist all affected travelers.
The travel agency had taken out liability insurance covering accidental death and medical expenses. Tourism authorities have asked the agency to help families travel to China.
Taiwan continues to ban organized travel to China under current regulations. The government first imposed this ban in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic. Authorities maintained the policy in June 2024 instead of lifting it. Officials cited China’s failure to reciprocate and allow Chinese groups to visit Taiwan.
The Tourism Administration described the group as a self arranged gathering of travelers and their relatives. The agency did not clarify whether this arrangement was legal or illegal. The ban on organized tours remains officially in place. Therefore, the legal status of the trip remains ambiguous.
