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After a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck Taiwan, more than 600 people remain stranded, three days later, in the island’s eastern county of Hualien, where at least 13 individuals have lost their lives.
Rescuers are facing numerous challenges, including the threat of landslides, rockfalls, and ongoing aftershocks, as they work tirelessly to evacuate those still trapped.
Among the hundreds stranded are approximately 400 individuals in a national park in Hualien. Wednesday’s earthquake caused boulders to cascade down the mountainside, severing roads to the remote region. The death toll has since climbed to 13, with most of the victims succumbing to falling rocks or landslides while outdoors.
This earthquake stands as the strongest to hit the island since 1999, when a quake claimed the lives of 2,400 people. Survivors have recounted scenes of tumbling rocks obstructing roads and, in some cases, trapping individuals inside tunnels.
Rescue efforts are in full force, with helicopters, drones, and specialized teams with dogs deployed. However, the challenging terrain and persistent aftershocks are making the operation exceedingly difficult.
Tragically, four hikers lost their lives in Taroko Gorge, while four others perished on the mountainous highways of the region. Additionally, around 50 hotel workers were stranded on a road leading to the national park.
A security manager at one of the stranded hotels described the sheer terror of navigating through falling rocks during the quake, underscoring the peril faced by those stranded.
The region has been rattled by hundreds of aftershocks since Wednesday, including a magnitude-5.2 quake on Saturday, prompting temporary halts to search and rescue operations.
Efforts to retrieve two bodies trapped under boulders in the park are being hampered by the risk of landslides and expected rainfall. The unpredictable nature of these elements makes it challenging to ascertain the duration of the search and rescue operations.
As of now, over 1,100 individuals have been confirmed injured by the earthquake, according to Taiwan’s national disaster agency.
In a separate development, Taiwan has criticized Bolivia for expressing solidarity with China following the quake. China, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, has expressed gratitude for international expressions of concern.
Taiwan's foreign minister admonished Bolivia, emphasizing Taiwan's status as a separate entity and discouraging it from being a "pathetic puppet" of China.