In the aftermath of Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years, more than 600 individuals remain stranded, with about 450 trapped in a hotel within Taroko National Park. Rescuers are mobilizing heavy equipment to recover two bodies buried under boulders on a hiking trail, with four others still missing. Despite search and recovery efforts being temporarily halted due to aftershocks, work is set to resume to locate the missing individuals.
The earthquake, which claimed at least 12 lives and left 10 others missing, caused extensive damage, including rockslides and collapsed buildings. While survivors recount harrowing tales of being trapped in tunnels by falling rocks, Taiwan’s relatively low death toll is attributed to stringent construction standards and widespread public education on earthquake preparedness.