No Charges for Coast Guard in Fatal February Crash off Kinmen
Following an investigation by the Kinmen prosecutor's office, no charges will be filed against the captain and driver of a Taiwanese Coast Guard vessel involved in a fatal February accident. A Chinese speedboat ventured into Taiwanese waters, resulting in a Taiwanese coast guard giving chase. Prosecutors determined the coast guard vessel crashed into the smaller speedboat as it made a sudden turn, leaving the coast guard insufficient time to take evasive maneuvers. Two members of the speedboat crew subsequently drowned.
Transcript
00:00Coast Guard members involved in the fatal maritime incident earlier this year will not
00:04face charges.
00:05That's after a Jinmen prosecutor ruled that there was not enough evidence to charge them
00:10for the deaths of two Chinese nationals.
00:12We believe that according to the evidence obtained by the police, the suspect's crime
00:18has not yet reached the threshold of prosecution, so we will not prosecute him under the law.
00:24In February, Taiwan's Coast Guard spotted a Chinese vessel in their territorial waters
00:28and chased them away.
00:30The boat capsized in the pursuit and two of its crew were killed.
00:34Taiwan has since apologized for the incident, provided compensation and returned the boat
00:38and the bodies of those involved.