Rescuers in Taiwan were working to recover two bodies buried under boulders on a hiking trail in Taroko National Park, following the country’s strongest earthquake in 25 years. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, struck off Taiwan’s east coast on Wednesday morning and caused extensive damage. Search and recovery efforts were temporarily halted due to aftershocks but were set to resume in hopes of finding the four remaining missing individuals on the Shakadang Trail.
The quake resulted in at least 12 deaths and left 10 others missing, with over 600 people stranded in various locations due to rockslides and other damage. Survivors shared stories of rocks falling onto roads, trapping them until rescuers could free them from tunnels. In the city of Hualien, a building leaning dangerously over a street was being carefully demolished to prevent further dangers. Fortunately, the relatively low number of deaths was attributed to strict construction standards and public education campaigns.
Despite being a powerful earthquake, the strict construction standards and public awareness in Taiwan have helped prevent a higher death toll. In contrast, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in 1999 resulted in the deaths of 2,400 people, highlighting the importance of preparedness and infrastructure resilience. The unknown identities of the two bodies found on the Shakadang Trail indicate the severity of the situation, especially for the family of five who remains missing in the area.
Among the missing individuals are two Singaporeans, with the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei closely coordinating with local authorities for updates and assistance. The situation remains challenging as rescuers work to access the affected areas and recover those still missing. As the recovery efforts continue, the focus is on locating and assisting those in need while ensuring the safety and well-being of all individuals impacted by the earthquake.
