The driver of a train that derailed in Taiwan (China) killing 18 people and injuring 187, was granted bail on Tuesday (Oct 23) after being detained in connection with the island's worst rail disaster in decades.

This Central News Agency handout picture taken on Oct 21, 2018 shows a derailed train in Yilan, eastern Taiwan. (Photo: AFP)

The driver, You Zhen-zhong, 48, was granted bail of TWD 500,000 (USD16,167) after he was detained for investigation, the Taiwan Railways Administration said.

You had been treated in hospital following the accident on Sunday in Yilan county, in the island's mountainous northeast.

An initial inquiry found that speeding might have been the cause of the accident, the official Central News Agency said.

The train came off the rails on a curve while moving at close to 140kmh, above the speed limit of 46kmh, the news agency reported, citing the head of the investigation team, Wu Ze-cheng.

More investigation was needed to determine the cause, he said.

The train data recorder, which tracks speed, among other things, had been sent to prosecutors to be examined.

The disaster was Taiwan's deadliest rail accident since a 1981 collision that killed 30 people.

The head of the state railway administration, Lu Jie-shen, had offered to resign but that was not accepted by the transport minister, the railway authority said./.

VNF/Reuters