At the Cabinet meeting today, Premier Mao Chi-kuo directed the Ministry of Transportation and Communications (MOTC) to demand full and complete safety compliance from airline companies.
"The airlines themselves must make certain that every detail and task is completed properly. They must make air safety their top priority."
After hearing the MOTC's update on last week's TransAsia Airways plane crash, the premier expressed his highest respects and gratitude to all search and rescue personnel from the central and local governments as well as private groups. Search crews will continue trying different methods to locate the one remaining missing passenger from the crash, he said.
Mao said he was deeply saddened by the death of Chung Lu-chi, a diver and executive secretary of the Yilan-based Lanyang Diving Association who participated in the passenger search efforts. On hearing news of Chung's death, Premier Mao immediately traveled to Yilan County to pay his condolences yesterday. He also reminded all search teams to keep warm at the crash site and to be mindful of their own personal safety.
As for the injured passengers and families of the deceased, Mao asked the Ministry of Health and Welfare to coordinate visits by different agencies and to provide counseling and support services. He also directed the MOTC to see to it that TransAsia handles compensation matters quickly and appropriately.