Two Bharatiya individuals, a man, and a woman, have been reported missing following the devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday. They were last seen in Taroko Gorge, close to the quake’s epicenter. Search operations are underway to locate them, as confirmed by sources familiar with the situation.
The earthquake, described as the strongest in 25 years, claimed at least nine lives and left over 1,000 injured. Its epicenter was off the coast of rural, mountainous Hualien County, where several buildings suffered severe damage, with some leaning at precarious angles and their ground floors crushed.
In the capital city of Taipei, located just over 150 kilometers away from the epicenter, older buildings experienced falling tiles, prompting schools to evacuate students to open sports fields equipped with yellow safety helmets. Some students were observed shielding themselves with textbooks against potential falling objects as aftershocks continued to rattle the region.
Rescue efforts are in full swing in Hualien, with rescue workers combing through the area in search of individuals who may be trapped. Excavators are being employed to stabilize damaged buildings. The number of people reported missing, trapped, or stranded is fluctuating as authorities receive new information and work tirelessly to locate and assist those in need.
Reports indicate that around 70 workers who were stranded at two rock quarries have been confirmed safe by the fire agency. However, accessing them has proven challenging due to roads being damaged by falling rocks. Plans are underway to airlift six workers to safety on Thursday.
Residents across the region expressed fear and shock at the intensity of the earthquake and subsequent aftershocks. One Taipei resident, Hsien-hsuen Keng, described being awakened by the quake and experiencing intense shaking, unlike anything they had felt before.
The earthquake and its aftershocks triggered 24 landslides and caused extensive damage to roads, bridges, and tunnels. Minor damage was also reported at the national legislature, a converted school built before World War II, and sections of the main airport in Taoyuan, just south of Taipei.
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