Electric car crashes & catches fire in Taiwan: Driver & 3 kids dead, 4 others injured

A rental electric car burst into flames after it collided with the guardrail of a rest stop in Yangmei District, Taoyuan in Taiwan at around 7:26pm on Jan. 25.

Four people in the car died, while another four were injured.

The driver, Ni Nan, 40, was returning home to celebrate Chinese New Year with his wife, three children, his wife's two nieces, and nephew, according to Sinchew Daily News.

In total, the vehicle was carrying two adults and six children.

The accident killed Ni Nan, his 10-year-old son, and his four-year-old daughter, as well as his wife's two-year-old nephew.

What caused accident?

According to Focus Taiwan, the ramp where the accident occurred splits traffic in two directions.

The outer lane leads to the Yangmei rest stop and the inner lane connects to a street at ground-level.

The vehicle apparently slammed into a barrier dividing the two lanes.

The vehicle involved in the crash was reportedly a Hyundai Ioniq 5.

The battery electric compact crossover sports utility vehicle (SUV) has a seating capacity of five.

Passengers suffered from severe burns

A passerby named Zhang told ET Today that the car burst into flames not long after the collision.

Ni's four-year-old daughter suffered third-degree burns on 90 per cent of her body and died the next morning.

An eight-year-old boy and an 11-year-old girl both suffered from second-degree burns, while a four-year-old girl was also sent to the hospital for treatment.

Ni's wife Zhan was seriously injured and sent to hospital for emergency treatment.

Zhan's younger brother told local media that 40 per cent of Zhan's body was burned and scalded, and her left foot will be amputated due to severe burns.

Previous car accidents at Yangmei rest stop

Zhang commented that there have been previous car accidents at the Yangmei rest stop.

Statistics from the National Highway Police Bureau showed a total of 12 accidents, including the Jan. 25 car collision, occurred since the rest stop opened in December 2021.

Online commenters pointed out the dangers of electric vehicles, which often use ternary lithium batteries.

Such batteries tend to catch fire when damaged.

Zhan's brother also questioned the vehicle Ni Nan rented, saying that he would ask the rental company about the cause of the accident and request relevant compensation.

Top image via ET Today