Thirty-four injured tourists and relatives of the victims of Monday's road accident in Taiwan flew back to Dalian in northeast China's Liaoning Province on Saturday.

Flying from Taipei to Seoul, Asiana Airlines' Flight OZ301 then flew to Dalian's Zhoushuizi International Airport at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Liu Fengzuo, vice-chairman of the Trade Union of the Dalian Economic and Technological Development Zone, told Xinhua. The passengers were required to fly hours out of their way as Taiwan authorities only allow direct flights to the mainland on special occasions.

The grieving families of the five Dalian tourists who died in the accident burst into tears when people carrying their dead relatives ashes arrived at the airport terminal.

Eight injured mainland tourists remain in hospital in Taiwan, according to Liu.

"They are all out of danger, but their return home depends on their recovery," said Liu.

A bus carrying tourists from Dalian plunged off a mountain road into a deep valley in central Taiwan, killing six people and injuring 15 others, according to the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council.

The dead included five from Dalian and a guide from Taiwan. The injured included 14 from Dalian and the local bus driver.

The tourists were insured with a travel agency in Taiwan and the bus was also legally insured, said the Taiwan Association of Travel Agents (TWATA).

The families of the deceased are to each receive 3.5 million New Taiwan dollars (875,000 yuan) and the injured will each receive 230,000 New Taiwan dollars (57,500 yuan), the TWATA said.

The accident was caused by brake failure, according to the bus driver.
 
Editor: Yan