Injured in the 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook eastern Taiwan have exceeded 1,000, but the death toll remains unchanged at nine. 42 workers who traveled to a hotel in a national park remain missing, Reuters reported.
Taiwan's fire department reported that the number of injured has risen to 1,038, and the number of injured is estimated at 48, including 42 hotel employees, BTA said.
The quake, the strongest in 25 years, shook the island yesterday morning just as people were getting ready for work and school. The epicenter of the earthquake was the remote and sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien.
Buildings swayed menacingly in the capital, Taipei, too, but damage and disruptions to the city's daily rhythm were minimal.
Last night the headquarters of the emergency and rescue services announced that now their first priority is the search for the missing hotel employees who were traveling to the Taroko Gorge, a national park of the same name. Authorities intend to send drones and helicopters to join the search operation and airdrop supplies if found.
Others who found themselves stranded are gradually being discovered and brought to safety. A recording of the actions of midwives during the earthquake appeared on social media.
Estoy viendo esto y de verdad que es muy heróico que las enfermeras supieran actuar mientras ocurría el #Terremoto en Taiwán, realente es admirable como protegen a los bebés https://t.co/q7pNaeElDq
— Génesis Camacho Lara (@Genecamachol) April 4, 2024
Today, a helicopter rescued six people who were stranded in a mining area, the fire department announced.
Also today, train service to Hualien was restored ahead of schedule, although a small station north of the city remains closed due to damage, the local railway administration said.
In the city of Hualien, where the search for people trapped in buildings ended, some people spent the night outdoors in view of the dozens of aftershocks that shook the area.
A 52-year-old woman, who gave herself only her last name, Yu, said she took up residence in a tent at a temporary accommodation center located on a sports field because she was too scared to sleep in her home, where her words are currently a complete "mess".
"The aftershocks were terrifying. They don't stop. I don't dare sleep at home," she said.