Following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan this week, around 400 individuals remain stranded and await rescue, as reported by the island's fire department on Saturday. Although authorities have confirmed the safety of those stranded, they are currently inaccessible due to landslides and blockages on rural roads near the hard-hit east coast of the island.
The death toll from the earthquake has now reached 13, according to Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA). Three bodies were discovered on a mountainous walking trail, with two found on Friday and one on Saturday. Efforts are ongoing to confirm the identities of the recovered individuals.
The earthquake, the most powerful in Taiwan in 25 years, shook the entire island on Wednesday and was felt as far as Hong Kong and Shanghai. Over a thousand individuals are receiving medical treatment for injuries, while six people are still reported missing.
In Hualien County, the region most severely impacted by the disaster, buildings collapsed, and landslides were triggered. Survivors recounted the loss of numerous local shops and businesses that had been operating for years, all gone in a single morning.
Rescue operations continue to face challenges due to adverse weather conditions, with Taiwanese authorities planning to deploy a technician and a low-orbit satellite to support the ongoing efforts. The earthquake this week affected various parts of Taiwan more intensely than any other seismic event since 1999, when a 7.7 magnitude quake struck the island, resulting in the loss of 2,400 lives and injuring 10,000 others.
The relatively low death toll in the recent earthquake has been attributed to the government's emphasis on preparedness, drawing from lessons learned 25 years ago. Most victims were outdoors when they were fatally injured by falling rocks or landslides. The casualties included individuals hiking in Taroko Gorge, those on mountainous highways, and a worker at a remote quarry.
Tragically, only one person lost their life in a collapsed building - the Uranus Building in downtown Hualien. Reports indicated that the individual initially escaped but returned to rescue their pet cat, resulting in a fatal outcome.
