The death toll from the crash of a TransAsia turboprop that crashed shortly after takeoff on Wednesday officially rose to 35, as the airline said it was paying to fly family members of victims to Taipei.
The Taiwan Civil Aeronautics Administration said the bodies of four more victims had been recovered from the wreckage of Flight GE235, which was carrying 58 passengers and crew, when it plunged into the shallow Keeluhng River in Taipei moments after taking off. Eight passengers remain missing, authorities said. Fifteen people survived the crash including a man who rescued his wife and saved his 2-year-old son by performing CPR to resuscitate him.
TransAsia said it had paid the equivalent of about $6,400 to fly victims' families to Taipei to collect their loved ones bodies. A fuller compensation amount will be determined after the investigation into what caused the crash is completed.
The airline also announced it will be offering refunds for any tickets booked with them until Feb. 13.
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