64 trapped miners rescued after earthquake in Taiwan

According to the authorities, 64 trapped miners were freed after the severe earthquake in Taiwan. The number of injured has now risen to more than 1,000 and there were nine deaths. The earth also shook in Japan.

Rescue and clean-up work continues after the severe earthquake that left at least nine dead and hundreds injured in Taiwan. A large group of miners who were cut off from the outside world after the massive earthquake in Taiwan have been freed, authorities said.

As the fire department announced, the 64 workers were brought to safety from a quarry in the east of the island shortly after noon (local time). Rescue workers had previously brought six workers who were stuck in another quarry out of the area by helicopter. The number of injuries recently rose by eight to 1,058. The number of deaths remained at nine.

There is no contact with around 30 people

The authorities have now received further information about people who were trapped, but they were all said to be safe. The number increased to 646 in the most recent report. There were 615 people in a hiking accommodation in Hualien County. 24 tourists are still stuck in a cave. In addition, six students and another person are trapped elsewhere.

According to the latest information, there is still no contact with an estimated 30 other missing people. The authorities also said that helpers have rescued more than 960 people since the earthquake. Many were trapped in buildings or tunnels after the tremors east of the island republic.

According to the information, more than 630 people found shelter in around 30 emergency shelters.

7.2 magnitude quake

The quake hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning during rush hour and was felt throughout the island with more than 23 million residents. According to Taiwanese data, it reached a magnitude of 7.2 and is considered the most severe earthquake there in almost 25 years. According to its own information, the US earthquake monitoring station recorded a value of 7.4, the Japanese authorities gave the magnitude as 7.7.

The center of the quake was just a few kilometers off the east coast near Hualien, which was particularly hard hit – also because of the relatively shallow depth of the center, only 15.5 kilometers below the earth’s surface. As of Thursday morning, more than 300 less powerful aftershocks had been recorded in Taiwan.

Germans also affected

In Taiwan’s cities, some buildings collapsed or became dangerously tilted. Traffic bridges wobbled menacingly and damage was caused to many roads. Eyewitnesses reported that they had never experienced anything like this.

Many people around Hualien were trapped in traffic tunnels or caves. Among them were two Germans who were stuck in a tunnel in a national park popular with hikers. They were freed after a few hours, according to the authorities and the Foreign Office. According to a spokesman in Berlin, the Foreign Office is also in contact with a tour group of 18 Germans who were originally considered missing. According to the information, they are doing well under the circumstances.

Quake in Fukushima, Japan

Another earthquake struck northeastern Japan today. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, it had a magnitude of 6.0 and occurred in the Fukushima region – a tsunami warning was not issued. Immediately after the quake, which was also felt in the capital Tokyo, there were no reports of damage or injuries.

Located in one of the most tectonically active areas in the world, Japan has strict building standards designed to ensure that buildings can withstand strong earthquakes. The archipelago is affected by around 1,500 tremors every year.