Tour bus accident in Zhangjiajie: Lion Travel vows to handle aftermath with utmost sincerity

Reported by reporter You t
ru / Taipei

A tour group organized by Lion Travel was involved in a tour bus rollover accident around noon on the 29th in Zhangjiajie, Hunan, due to rainy and slippery roads. The incident resulted in three fatalities. The group comprised 13 Taiwanese tourists and one Taiwanese guide, with 11 others sustaining minor injuries. Staff from the travel agency and family members traveled to the site last night (29th). The deceased have been transferred to the Changde Funeral Home, while the injured are scheduled to begin returning to Taiwan starting tomorrow (1st).


▲ Lion Travel’s 8-day, 7-night Zhangjiajie tour ends in 3 deaths and 11 injuries in a bus rollover. (Photo / Provided by Eastern TV News)

At approximately 11:45 AM yesterday (29th), on the Changsha-to-Fenghuang Ancient Town expressway at the 115 km marker, a tour bus operated by Lion Travel skidded while swerving to avoid a small passenger vehicle, causing an accident due to rainy and slippery road conditions. Tour leader Xie Anqi, traveler Zheng Fangbin, and traveler Mei Xuejuan were pronounced dead at the scene. Their bodies have been taken to the Changde Funeral Home. The other 11 people sustained minor injuries and have been sent to the First and Second People’s Hospitals of Changde, Hunan. They are expected to gradually return to Taiwan after tomorrow.

Lion Travel stated that relevant staff have gone to the site to assess the latest medical situation of the injured. Over the next two days, the company will also guide family members to visit their loved ones and assist in handling post-accident matters. It is understood that Lion Travel will provide a condolence payment of two million Taiwan dollars per deceased traveler, and will also assist injured travelers with follow-up medical arrangements.