In the aftermath of a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake that hit Taiwan, rescue teams are working tirelessly to find around 700 individuals who are still trapped or missing. The earthquake, which is the strongest to hit the island in 25 years, has left at least ten dead and over 1,000 injured. Rescue workers are focusing their efforts on a quarry and a gorge where hotel workers and tourists are believed to be trapped. The number of trapped people in these areas has reached 663, with an additional 38 reported missing.
The most affected city is Hualien, where nearly 100,000 residents reside. While all individuals trapped in buildings in Hualien have been rescued, many citizens have chosen to spend the night outside or in tents due to fear of aftershocks. A total of 961 individuals have been evacuated across the island, with 619 requiring relocation to safer locations.
Rescue operations have been challenged by a high number of aftershocks, with over 300 occurring in Hualien county alone. The Taiwanese Government has warned of the possibility of more aftershocks reaching magnitudes of 6.5 and 7 in the next few days. In response to the disaster, the government has allocated approximately 8.64 million euros to aid in reconstruction and relief efforts in Hualien county.
Despite the challenges faced by rescue workers, some success stories have emerged. Six miners who were stranded in a quarry overnight were safely rescued by a helicopter, as were 64 individuals in another quarry. Additionally, all 50 hotel workers who had gone missing have been located, with most reporting to be safe.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Hualien authorities have reported damage to 92 buildings
