Kaohsiung: A large truck collided with a light rail train in the Lingya District of Kaohsiung on Sunday afternoon, leading to injuries for the truck driver and six train passengers.

According to Focus Taiwan, all seven injured individuals were conscious, with six transported to the hospital. Among them was the 60-year-old truck driver, surnamed Wang, who suffered a head laceration. The Lingya Precinct reported that the other six individuals sustained minor injuries.

The collision took place around 5:25 p.m. when the truck, driven eastbound by Wang from the Kaohsiung Music Center toward Haibian Road, intersected with a northbound light rail train at the junction of Haibian Road and Yingxiong Road. The police confirmed that alcohol was not a factor in the incident.

The light rail service resumed operations at approximately 7:05 p.m. Police indicated that their preliminary investigation pointed to Wang's failure to yield to the light rail train as the primary cause of the collision. The traffic division is continuing its investigation to determine the exact cause.

Wang may face a fine ranging from NT$600 (US$20.49) to NT$1,800 for breaching the Road Traffic Management and Penalty Act. Additionally, he is suspected of negligent endangerment of public transportation safety and will be referred to prosecutors for further investigation, police stated.

Kaohsiung Rapid Transit Corp. (KRTC) reported damage to the train's front and side windows, though it remained on its tracks. After police concluded their investigation, the train returned to the depot for inspection and repair under its own power.

KRTC emphasized that the truck's incursion onto the light rail line was not at an open crossing, and the light rail had the right of way at the time, signaling a breach of traffic regulations by the truck.