Body Recovered after 16-Day Search Following Hualien Landslide Lake Flood
After 16 days of intensive search and rescue operations, authorities in Hualien, Taiwan, have recovered the body of a woman believed to be the wife of a local gravel pit owner, lost in the aftermath of a devastating landslide lake flood. The recovery,made near a gravel field on Thursday,October 8,2025,marks a somber conclusion to a desperate search for six individuals still unaccounted for following the disaster.
The tragedy unfolded after the collapse of a dam at the Mataian Imperial Lake in Hualien, initially claiming 18 lives. The subsequent flooding and landslides led to the disappearance of several residents, including the proprietress of Zhengwang Sand and stone Field in Guangfu Township. According to reports, the vehicle she was traveling in was swept away by the surging waters and became buried under massive amounts of mud and debris.
The arduous recovery effort involved excavators and painstaking manual digging, as search teams navigated a landscape covered in soil up to two stories deep. “The car was covered with mud and sand,” stated a senior official involved in the operation. “in order not to damage the body, everyone used shovels to dig slowly bit by bit.” The process took approximately three and a half hours, hampered by the vehicle’s severely deformed condition – the roof was crushed and the doors were unable to be opened.
The recovery was aided by specialized equipment, including machinery operated by Qide Heavy Machinery, known as “Zhubei Crane King.” as the vehicle was unearthed near Lane 336, Fozu Street, personnel at the gravel yard reportedly shouted “Dong Niang Go Home,” a poignant expression of relief and sorrow. While family members initially identified the remains as belonging to the gravel yard owner’s wife, official confirmation awaits analysis by the prosecutor and police.
Zhang Jun, a friend of the proprietress and president of the Hualien County Council, shared that the woman was known for her charitable work, frequently donating to vulnerable groups and contributing to local infrastructure projects. He recounted hearing screams and reports of sand and gravel rushing into a garage around the time of the disaster.
The ongoing search for the remaining six missing individuals continues, complicated by the sheer volume of debris and the unstable terrain. The disaster has prompted discussions regarding post-disaster reconstruction funding, with some officials suggesting that the initially proposed 20 billion yuan may be insufficient. Legislators are also examining the response to the disaster, including the need for improved disaster preparedness and the clearing of waterways.
The incident underscores the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters and the dedication of rescue workers who tirelessly search for those lost. President Lai Ching-te recently praised the “Taiwan spirit” demonstrated by those involved in the relief efforts, highlighting the resilience and compassion of the Taiwanese people.
Why did this happen? The disaster was triggered by the collapse of a dam at Mataian Imperial Lake in Hualien, leading to a landslide lake flood. Who was affected? The incident resulted in at least 18 confirmed deaths and the disappearance of six individuals, including the proprietress of Zhengwang Sand and Stone Field. What was the outcome? After a 16-day search, the body believed to be that of the proprietress was recovered on October 8, 2025, though the search for the remaining missing persons continues. How did it end? The recovery effort involved extensive excavation and specialized machinery, culminating in the discovery of the vehicle and remains, though official confirmation is pending.
