Taiwan earthquake: Rescue teams search mountains for trapped victims
Rescuers in Taiwan continued to bring people to safety on Friday and searched for a dozen others still missing from this week’s earthquake, as the death toll increased to 12.
HUALIEN, Taiwan — Rescuers in Taiwan combed mountains for a dozen people still missing and airlifted others to safety on Friday, as the death toll from this week’s earthquake increased to 12.
Two more bodies were found in the mountains of Taiwan’s eastern Hualien county, two days after a 7.4-magnitude quake off the nearby coast that was the island’s biggest tremor in 25 years. The quake damaged roads and sent rocks tumbling down mountains, stranding hundreds of people in Taroko National Park, an area popular with hikers.
Rescue efforts have been complicated by the risk of further landslides and rockfalls, as well as intermittent rain, said Justin Wang, 37, team leader at the Kaoshiung City Fire Department.
Rescue workers searching the Taroko National Park on Friday.CNA / AFP - Getty ImagesAftershocks can also still be felt every few minutes, numbering in the hundreds since Wednesday.
Wang said time is crucial, as rescuers try to maximize the first 72 hours after the quake.
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