Hong Kong - China Airlines yesterday faced renewed anger over its poor safety record following the deaths of two people when a Taiwanese airliner crashed and flipped over in a typhoon.
As an investigation began into how the McDonnell-Douglas 11's wing clipped the ground and tore off, sending the aircraft skidding into a flaming crash, China Airlines and Taiwan's transport minister both made public apologies.
In Hong Kong, the Chief Executive, Mr Tung Chee-hwa, hailed the "big luck" that kept the casualty toll to two killed and 211 injured out of the 315 passengers and crew on board.