Butterfly Valley Tragedy: Author Chi Hui-wen's Memorial Service Attended by Hiking Group Members and Tibetan Monks

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (CNA) -- A hiking group from Taipei went to the Butterfly Valley Waterfall Trail in Taichung for a hike late last month, and four people were killed by falling rocks. Among the deceased was author Chi Hui-wen. Her memorial service was held in Taichung today, with many members of the hiking group and Tibetan monks she had assisted attending to bid her farewell.

Chi Hui-wen's family held her memorial service today at the Chongde Funeral Home in Taichung. Former Minister of Transportation and Communications, Tsai Tui, and other members of the hiking group were also present. The atmosphere was somber, and the family did not speak to the media.

As Chi Hui-wen was the convener of the Tibetan Monk Visa Promotion Reform Alliance, assisting monks with their visas to come to Taiwan, dozens of Tibetan monks attended the memorial service today to pay their respects.

As an author, Chi Hui-wen, while studying for her master's degree in sociology at Tunghai University in 1995, wrote her thesis "The Career Stories of Twelve Office Ladies." She hoped to use an academic perspective to clear the stigma of prostitution, which sparked widespread discussion across Taiwan at the time.

A hiking group of 16 people from Taipei went to the Butterfly Valley Waterfall Trail in Heping District, Taichung, on June 27th this year. Five people were hit by falling rocks. Four of them died after being rescued and brought down the mountain, while the fifth person sustained minor injuries and was unharmed.

The four deceased were identified as a 61-year-old male surnamed Yeh, a 63-year-old male surnamed Cheng, a 69-year-old female surnamed Yao, and a 57-year-old female surnamed Chi. After an autopsy by the prosecutor's office, it was determined that they died from traumatic shock caused by falling rocks. Investigations are ongoing to determine if any criminal liability is involved. (Edited by Chen Jen-hua) 1150707

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