The death toll from a 7.2-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on April 3 has risen to 16, with more than 1,100 people injured. Strict building codes and disaster readiness measures are being credited with preventing an even greater catastrophe. Authorities found three more victims on a hiking trail in Hualien county on Wednesday, bringing the total number of fatalities from the quake to 16.
The three victims were discovered as rescue teams worked to retrieve two other bodies buried under rocks along the Shakadang Trail in eastern Taiwan. Three people, including two Singaporeans, remain missing along the same trail. Singaporeans Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo, who are a married couple, were last seen at a bus station in Hualien preparing to board a shuttle bus to Taroko National Park.
Taiwan’s immigration agency confirmed the couple’s status as missing persons and efforts to locate them are ongoing. Rescue teams narrowed their search perimeter on Sunday to focus on areas where the missing individuals were last seen. The rescue and recovery efforts continue as authorities work to locate all missing individuals and assess the full extent of the damage caused by the earthquake.
The earthquake, with its epicenter in Hualien county, has caused significant destruction in the region. Buildings have been damaged, roads and infrastructure have been affected, and the local community is reeling from the aftermath of the disaster. The search for missing persons and the recovery of bodies continue in challenging conditions as rescue teams navigate treacherous terrain and obstacles caused by the quake.
The international community has offered support and assistance to Taiwan in the wake of the earthquake. Singapore, in particular, has been following the situation closely and efforts are being made to locate the missing Singaporean couple. Taiwan’s emergency response teams are working tirelessly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of those affected by the earthquake, and the recovery and rebuilding process will be a long and challenging one.
As Taiwan continues to recover from the earthquake, the focus remains on assisting those in need and assessing the full impact of the disaster. The importance of disaster preparedness and building resilience in the face of natural disasters has been highlighted by the response to this earthquake. The human cost of the earthquake is significant, and efforts to locate all missing persons and provide support to those affected will be ongoing in the days and weeks ahead.
