Taiwanese authorities have conducted an airlift operation, delivering 928 pounds of food to individuals trapped at a quarry. Following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake in Hualien county, 64 people were reported stuck at Heping Mine. Unfortunately, the quake has claimed nine lives, with 186 others sustaining injuries in Hualien.
Rescue efforts have been underway, with authorities airlifting food to the mining area and deploying drones to assess the situation at Heping Mine.
It remains uncertain how the individuals became trapped or if they are underground. Additionally, six individuals were rescued from Zhonghe quarry, and 24 tourists are reportedly trapped in a cave.
The earthquake has caused significant damage, with collapsed buildings and landslides. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing, a key chipmaker, evacuated its supply lines but later reported recovery in production.
Despite 315 aftershocks recorded within 24 hours, the severity appears to be decreasing. Taiwanese authorities measured the initial quake at 7.2 on the Richter scale, while US estimates indicated a 7.4 magnitude.