July 21, 2016
MAC Press Release No. 49
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated that, based on humanitarian considerations and to provide the victims' families with maximum support and service, it has continued to coordinate with the National Immigration Agency under the Ministry of the Interior to grant special permission for 21 work personnel from mainland China's Dalian Municipal Taiwan Affairs Office and National Tourism Administration to accompany the families of the victims on a charter flight to Taiwan today (July 21, 2016). Upon arrival of the family members in Taiwan, the MAC and related departments will take responsibility to jointly handle the reception and follow-up affairs.
The MAC explained that, since the July 19 highway accident involving a group of Mainland tourists, the two sides have actively coordinated response measures through the liaison mechanisms established under the cross-Strait tourism agreement. The first priorities are to fully prepare follow-up arrangements and comfort the bereaved families of the victims. To this end, the two sides will continue to exchange views on follow-up handling. The government has coordinated the planning of related preparations, including the arrangement of volunteers, accommodations, transportation, and counseling. It has also arranged family briefings and the funeral ceremony, as well as made necessary adjustments and provided assistance based on the concerns of family members.
MAC Deputy Minister Chang Tien-Chin will personally convey condolences to the families. In addition, MAC Minister Katharine Chang will attend the funeral to mourn the victims and express condolences to the families.