Taiwan earthquake rescuers rush to free hundreds trapped as death toll rises

The 7.4-magnitude tremor is the strongest the island has experienced in 25 years

This photo taken by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows emergency workers assisting a survivor after he was rescued from a damaged building in New Taipei City, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT - China OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Emergency workers rescue a survivor from a destroyed building in New Taipei City (Photo: CNA/AFP)

April 5, 2024 1:11 pm

Rescuers in Taiwan are scrambling to save those still trapped under the rubble after a deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the country.

The quake – the strongest the East Asian island has experienced in 25 years – hit at about 8am local time on Wednesday, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 1,100, while a dozen remain missing, according the latest official report issued on Friday.

At least 634 people are now thought to remain trapped as of Friday, up from the 127 reported trapped on Wednesday.

Rescue efforts are complicated by the threat of landslides and rockfalls made worse by rain, Su Yu-ming, leader of a search team helping the rescue effort, told Reuters, adding: “These factors are unpredictable, which means we cannot confirm the number of days required for the search and rescue operations.”

Taiwan’s National Defence Ministry has sent two military aircraft and more than 1,000 personnel to Hualien in eastern Taiwan – about 11 miles south-west of the quake epicentre – to carry out the rescue effort.

This photo taken by Taiwan's Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows a damaged building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT - China OUT - Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images) — A damaged building in Hualien, eatern Taiwan (Photo: CNA/AFP)

On Friday it said teams were “putting an all-out effort” to save people trapped in Shakadang Trail in Taroko National Park, eastern Taiwan, where 14 people were hiking and three died, according to United Daily News.

Rescue operations are complicated by small roads and rocks falling on the scene, Taiwan’s National Fire Agency reported on Friday. The Taroko National Park said the area was still experiencing aftershocks and rain and would remain closed until 7 April.

In this photo released by the National Fire Agency, members of a search and rescue team prepare to enter a leaning building in the aftermath of an earthquake in Hualien, eastern Taiwan on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush Wednesday, damaging buildings and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. (National Fire Agency via AP) — Asearch and rescue team prepare to enter a leaning building in Hualien (Photo: National Fire Agency via AP)

Rescuers have confirmed that about 400 people cut off at a hotel in the national park are safe, and has been helicoptering in supplies and taking out those injured.

The main earthquake has since been followed by aftershocks around magnitude 4 across Taiwan’s eastern region. The quake had a depth of 9.6 miles, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.

At least 26 buildings have collapsed, more than half in Hualien. Landslides and falling debris hit tunnels and highways in the mountainous region, bringing traffic to a standstill. Train services were suspended and schools evacuated.

Taiwan’s Central Disaster Response Center warned another earthquake could hit the region, but it failed to specify when it could happen and how significant it could be.