Following the TransAsia Airways plane crash near Magong Airport last night, Premier Jiang Yi-huah immediately ordered the establishment of a central emergency operation center dedicated to the case.
"I am deeply grieved that such a serious aviation accident has occurred, causing so many deaths and serious injuries," Jiang said after a briefing at the center. "I hope all our citizens will care for and console our compatriots who are suffering so terribly from this event."
The premier has tasked Vice Premier Mao Chi-kuo with supervising the government's response to the accident. The government has followed standard operating procedure, with each agency's responsibilities quickly clarified, Jiang pointed out.
The premier said the Executive Yuan's Office of Disaster Management alerted him of the crash immediately after it occurred, and after subsequent reports that there were numerous casualties, he immediately ordered the establishment of a central emergency operation center and requested all relevant agencies take part in it. He also contacted the heads of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC), Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Ministry of National Defense (MND) and Ministry of Justice to deal with follow-up matters.
An investigation of the accident will be conducted. The medical care and evacuation of the wounded, who have been sent to Penghu Hospital and Tri-Service General Hospital Penghu Branch, are urgent matters to take care of, the premier emphasized. Agencies have been requested to send officials to Magong City to help handle the affairs of the departed.
The MND has already fully mobilized to deal with the accident, and Jiang requested the MOI send police and firefighters to assist them. The MOTC was tasked with supervising TransAsia Airways to ensure passengers' family members are swiftly contacted.
The premier also stated he has already contacted Penghu County Magistrate Wang Chien-fa and that the central government will do its utmost to provide the local government with any needed command and dispatch assistance.