Taiwan Earthquake: 9 dead, scores trapped, 50 missing, over 1,000 injured; rescue op underway

Taiwan Earthquake: A pale of sorrow, grief and devastation descended the world's dramatic mountain ranges, beautiful coastline, hot springs, and lush greenery in Taiwan. 

In a devastating turn of events, a severe, strongest and massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake jolted Taiwan resulted in nine fatalities, with 143 people still trapped in rubble and over 1,000 injured.

The casualties occurred primarily in Hualien, with four victims in Taroko Gorge, two near the Dachingshui and Huide tunnels, one in a residential building in Hualien City, and one in the Hejen mining area, with many attributed to rockfalls.

Taiwan Earthquake Update IN POINTS 

• According to the National Fire Agency, 143 individuals were trapped in various locations, including seven in the Renhe mining area, 47 hotel employees and 24 tourists at Jiuqudong, 64 in the Heping mining area, and one on the Jhu-ilu Trekking and Hiking trail.
• The Hualien County Government disclosed that over 600 people are stranded, accommodated within Taroko National Park, including guests and staff at Silks Place Taroko, Tienhsiang Youth Activity Center, and Taroko Village Hotel.

• The New Taipei City Government's Social Welfare Department established 15 shelters across four districts to assist affected residents.
• The Kaohsiung Fire Bureau rescued two foreign nationals, aged 29 and 35, on the Shakadang Trail. They sustained minor injuries but remained conscious and were transported to a hospital by the Hualien County Fire Bureau after receiving on-site medical treatment.
• Railway services are set to resume Thursday morning to facilitate orderly travel arrangements for the public.
• The Ministry of Economic Affairs reported power outages affecting 371,869 households nationwide, with 1,073 still without power late Wednesday. Among them, 660 households are expected to have power restored later in the evening.

• 125,675 households initially experienced water stoppages nationwide, with 14,718 still facing shortages, including 14,500 in Hualien.
• Restoration efforts are expected to be completed by midnight Thursday, with water trucks dispatched to affected areas in the interim.

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