President Ma Ying-jeou on February 5 headed to the Tri-Service General Hospital's Neihu Main Facility and the Taipei City Hospital's Zhongxiao Branch to visit passengers injured in the crash of TransAsia Airways Flight GE 235 and their families. The president also visited the Taipei City Second Funeral Parlor to pay his respects to those who died in the accident.
After his visit to the hospital facility in Neihu, President Ma stated that the crash of the aircraft had shocked the nation. As of noon on February 5, the number of passengers and crew killed in the accident reached 31 and the injured was 15. Rescue personnel, he noted, were working to find the remaining passengers still unaccounted for. Another TransAsia Airways flight crashed in offshore Penghu last July, and two major aviation accidents in just six short months weighed heavily on the hearts of the president and the public.
President Ma commented that upon learning of the accident on the morning of February 4 in a telephone call from Premier Mao Chi-kuo (毛治國), who reported details about what happened and how the situation was being handled, he made it clear that no effort be spared in the search and rescue operations, and that every avenue be explored. At the same time, he asked that the Executive Yuan undertake a comprehensive examination of what led to this accident, saying that responsibility must be determined, and disciplinary action taken. The government also must further strengthen domestic aviation safety so that nothing similar happens again.
President Ma feels that Taiwan has long been proud of its convenient, safe, and comfortable transportation facilities. The beauty of Taiwan's scenery, the diversity and quality of its cuisine, and the beautiful character of its people are the reasons for the strong growth in the number of tourists visiting Taiwan in recent years. Casualties from this crash included not only ROC nationals, but also quite a few tourists from mainland China. This aviation disaster thus agonized over 40 happy families, he said. The president added that this incident also casts doubt among foreign tourists as to the safety of tourism in Taiwan, and consequently, the government must learn from this bitter experience and see that comprehensive improvements are made.
He emphasized that as president of the ROC, he is calling on the public and the government to be united during this difficult period, pray for those who were injured in the accident, and mourn those who died. The president also asked the public to comfort and support the victims’ families and friends, helping them to get through this terrible time. Furthermore, he expressed his encouragement to the police, firemen, and members of the military who are still on the front line working to rescue the passengers. Only through their efforts has the rescue and relief work been able to proceed smoothly, he remarked, adding his wishes for peace for Taiwan, for every family, and for everyone.