According to the authorities, 70 trapped miners were freed after 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. Authorities say 70 miners who were stuck in two quarries for hours have been freed.
The number of injured recently rose to 1,067. The helpers also found another body, bringing the death toll to ten.
Hotel employee freed from tunnel
At the same time it was announced that the rescue workers were able to bring another 44 previously missing people to safety. Interior Minister Lin You-chang announced that people were stuck in two tunnels. Among them were 35 employees of a hotel in Taroko National Park who were surprised by the quake in their minibuses on the way to work on Wednesday morning.
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, authorities said. Finding those with whom there is no contact is the most important task, said Interior Minister Lin. These people urgently need food and water, he explained.
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. Bridges wobbled menacingly and damage was caused to many roads.
Many people in the Hualien region 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.
According to Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry, authorities have so far brought around 70 foreigners to safety after the quake. The authorities have not yet been able to establish contact with three missing people from Canada and Australia.
Taiwan
Strongest earthquake in 25 years
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.
Thorsten Iffland, ARD Tokyo, tagesschau, April 4th, 2024 6:52 a.m