After Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years struck on Wednesday morning, rescuers were faced with the task of recovering two bodies buried under boulders on a hiking trail in Taroko National Park. Heavy equipment was being brought in to aid in the recovery efforts, which had been called off briefly on Friday due to aftershocks. In addition to the two bodies, four more people were missing on the same trail, known for its rugged terrain.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, resulted in the death of at least 12 people and left 10 others missing. Over 600 people, including about 450 stranded at a hotel in Taroko park, were cut off by rockslides and other damage caused by the quake. Survivors recounted terrifying experiences of being trapped in tunnels by rocks falling onto roadways until rescue teams were able to reach them. In Hualien, a building teetering at a precarious angle over a street was being carefully dismantled.
Taiwan’s strict construction standards and extensive public education campaigns on earthquake preparedness have been credited for the relatively low number of fatalities in a quake of such magnitude. In comparison, a 1999 earthquake with a magnitude of 7.7 claimed the lives of 2,400 people. Among the deceased and missing on the Shakadang Trail were a family of five, with the two trapped bodies found being of a man and a woman that have yet to be identified.
The tragic event also impacted two Singaporeans who were reported missing following the earthquake. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei was working closely with local authorities to assist with the situation. Efforts to recover the missing persons and support those affected by the earthquake were ongoing as search and recovery work resumed in the area. Despite the challenges posed by the earthquake, efforts to recover and assist those affected were in motion.
