Taiwan: 70 trapped miners rescued
According to the authorities, 70 trapped miners have now been freed following the severe earthquake in Taiwan. The number of injured has now risen to more than 1,000 and the number of deaths to ten.
Rescue and clean-up work continues after the severe earthquake that left several dead and hundreds injured in Taiwan. Miners who were stuck in two quarries for hours have been freed, authorities said. As the fire department announced, the 70 workers were brought to safety.
The number of injured recently rose to 1,067. The helpers also found another body, bringing the death toll to ten.
There is no contact with around 30 people
Authorities were greatly concerned about the fate of about 30 employees at a luxury hotel in Taroko National Park in eastern Taiwan, where the earthquake was particularly strong. There was no contact with them, nor with another twelve people.
Finding those with whom there is no contact is the most important task, said Interior Minister Lin You-chang. These people urgently need food and water, he explained.
More than 600 people cut off from the outside world
More than 600 people are still stuck in various locations and remain cut off from the outside world. Most of them had found refuge in hotels, but dozens of people were still trapped in collapsed tunnels, the authorities said.
Hendri Sutrisno, who comes from Indonesia, sought refuge with his wife and their baby on the grounds of a school in the worst-hit city of Hualien. “We have everything we need – blankets, a toilet and a place to rest,” said the 30-year-old.
7.2 magnitude quake
The quake hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning during rush hour and was felt throughout the island with more than 23 million residents. According to Taiwanese data, it reached a magnitude of 7.2 and is considered the most severe earthquake there in almost 25 years. According to its own information, the US earthquake monitoring station recorded a value of 7.4, the Japanese authorities gave the magnitude as 7.7.
The center of the quake was just a few kilometers off the east coast near Hualien, which was particularly hard hit – also because of the relatively shallow depth of the center, only 15.5 kilometers below the earth’s surface. As of Thursday morning, more than 300 less powerful aftershocks had been recorded in Taiwan.
Germans also affected
In Taiwan’s cities, some buildings collapsed or became dangerously tilted. Traffic bridges wobbled menacingly and damage was caused to many roads. Eyewitnesses reported that they had never experienced anything like this.
Many people around Hualien were trapped in traffic tunnels or caves. Among them were two Germans who were stuck in a tunnel in a national park popular with hikers. They were freed after a few hours, according to the authorities and the Foreign Office. According to a spokesman in Berlin, the Foreign Office is also in contact with a tour group of 18 Germans who were originally considered missing. According to the information, they are doing well under the circumstances.
Quake in Fukushima, Japan
Another earthquake struck northeastern Japan today. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, it had a magnitude of 6.0 and occurred in the Fukushima region – a tsunami warning was not issued. Immediately after the quake, which was also felt in the capital Tokyo, there were no reports of damage or injuries.
Located in one of the most tectonically active areas in the world, Japan has strict building standards designed to ensure that buildings can withstand strong earthquakes. The archipelago is affected by around 1,500 tremors every year.
