A Chinese mainland spokesperson on Saturday denounced a tour bus arson that killed 24 mainland tourists in Taiwan in July, after Taiwan authorities confirmed the driver’s drunk-driving, arson and murder.
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Authorities had earlier said the driver Su Ming-cheng had been drunk when his bus caught fire and rammed through an expressway in July, killing himself and 25 others on board.
The Taoyuan District Prosecutors Office, making public the findings of its probe, said Su set himself alight using gasoline while driving the bus.
The bus was headed for the airport, where the tour group was due to fly back home after seven days in the country. The bus had eight emergency exits, two of which were inaccessible because they were near the driver where the fire started.
Authorities said Su was a regular drinker with a history of violence.
It was also found that just before the case happened, Su’s family members had talked frequently with him, trying to discourage him from committing a suicide.
Of those killed, 24 were tourists from China, including three children.
Su’s family has already obtained NT$2 million (US$63,381) in insurance compensation, but is expected to face compensation claims from the insurance company, travel agency, tour bus company and families of the victims.
Prior to the release of the report, investigators said that it was highly likely that the ignition point was near the driver’s seat, and as forensic investigators did not find any evidence of a short circuit, human factors were considered.
He had been briefly suspended in May by his employer for fighting with another tour guide, officials added.
Prosecutors said he was suffering with depression at the time of the crash as a result of his personal and professional problems.
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It was the deadliest single incident involving Chinese tourists since Taiwan began admitting mainland visitors in 2008.
