The Taiwanese Defence Ministry has confirmed the death of Air Force General Shen Yi-min - Chief of the Taiwanese General Staff. The official died when a military aircraft en route to the northeastern city of Ilan crashed in the mountains.
According to initial reports, at least 11 people survived the incident, however, China Daily stated in a conflicting report that only five people had been confirmed alive.
The Defence Ministry later announced that only 5 survivors had been found in the crash, also confirming that General Shen Yi-min had died in the accident.
Several high-ranking military officers of #Taiwan have been killed in a Thurs 2 Jan UH-60M Black Hawk #helicopter crash in northern Taiwan. Among the 8 dead are Chief of the General Staff Shen Yi-ming (沈一鳴) and 4 other general officers; five survived. https://t.co/L6FnhzdpIZ pic.twitter.com/CSslLgxpTG
— Chris Cavas (@CavasShips) January 2, 2020
The Taiwan News reported, citing the military, that along with General Shen, the list of passengers included several top officials from the General Staff.
Taiwanese air force general Shen Yi-ming and several officials went missing on January 2 after a helicopter carrying 13 people landed an emergency on the northern island. https://t.co/MA21jG3xyl | #Taiwan pic.twitter.com/pWB1nvfI7A
— DiepTLam (@DiepTLam) January 2, 2020
