Two days after the largest earthquake to strike the island in 25 years—a 7.4-magnitude quake off the local coast—two more dead were discovered in the highlands of eastern Hualien county.
In Short
- The aftermath of taiwan’s recent earthquake has led to intensified search and rescue efforts in hualien county and taroko national park.
- Rescuers face challenges due to ongoing landslides, rockfalls, and aftershocks.
- Hundreds remain trapped, injured, or missing, with helicopters aiding in evacuation and relief efforts.
- Taiwan’s response reflects improved earthquake preparedness since past disasters, yet challenges persist in the face of natural calamities.
TFD – Dive into the intensifying search and rescue operations in the aftermath of the Taiwan earthquake, focusing on Hualien County and Taroko National Park. Join TheFoxDaily as we cover the challenges, efforts, and impact of this seismic event on the affected region.
Taiwan’s Huanglien The number of fatalities from this week’s earthquake grew to 12, as rescuers in Taiwan searched mountains for the remaining twelve missing persons on Friday. They also flew others to safety.
Two days after the largest earthquake to strike the island in 25 years—a 7.4-magnitude quake off the local coast—two more dead were discovered in the highlands of Taiwan’s eastern Hualien county. In Taroko National Park, a famous hiking destination, the earthquake left hundreds of tourists stranded as it destroyed roads and sent debris hurtling down mountains.
The possibility of more landslides and rockfalls, in addition to the sporadic rain, have hindered rescue attempts, according to Justin Wang, 37, a team leader with the Kaoshiung City Fire Department.
There are still aftershocks every few minutes; since Wednesday, there have been hundreds of them.
Time is critical, according to Wang, as rescuers work to optimize the first 72 hours following the earthquake.
As of Friday afternoon, the Central Disaster Response Center reported that 634 people were trapped, 1,123 injured, and 13 individuals were missing. Three foreigners from Australia and Canada were among the missing, according to Hualien Mayor Wei Chia-yen.
The majority of individuals stranded have been verified as safe and are staying at a hotel and activity center inside the national park. Helicopters are airlifting injured people and families with children, and they are also providing food and water until everyone can be rescued.
The majority of locations in Hualien, the county seat and home to around 100,000 people, have returned to normal. This is indicative of Taiwan’s efforts to bolster earthquake preparedness and response following a 7.6-magnitude tremor that killed roughly 2,400 people in 1999.
After a midrise building mostly collapsed in Wednesday’s earthquake, it was slanted at a perilous angle, and demolition operations started on the building on Friday afternoon.
Offerings were offered for the one person who perished in the building—a woman who had come back to her apartment following the earthquake in an attempt to save her cat—during a previous ceremony.
Jennifer Jett reported from Hong Kong, Janis Mackey Frayer and Andy Yeh from Hualien, Taiwan.
Conclusion
The Taiwan earthquake aftermath underscores the resilience and response of communities in Hualien County and Taroko National Park. As search and rescue operations intensify, the ongoing challenges highlight the need for continued preparedness and support. Let’s stand united in solidarity with those affected by natural disasters, ensuring swift recovery and lasting resilience in the face of adversity.
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