“Terrifying” aftershocks have led to people sleeping in tents as the search for missing people continues following Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years.
Ten people have died, four of whom were in Taroko National Park and were hit by falling rocks.
The National Fire Agency said 660 people are trapped – including 611 from the Tianxiang Youth Activity Centre and the hotel. Another 24 tourists are believed to be trapped in a tunnel in Jiuqudong.
At least 1,060 people were injured after the quake struck in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien county during morning rush hour on Wednesday at 7.58am local time (12.58am UK time).
More than 30 people, the majority of whom are workers at the five-star Silks Place Taroko hotel, have been safely evacuated, along with nine tourists.
Helicopters and drones have been deployed to continue to look for people trapped on the cross-island highway – which goes across a gorge and connects the east and west coast of Taiwan.
Authorities said supplies will be dropped to anyone they find in the gorge, who may have become stuck after visiting the popular tourist destination.
It comes after 77 people who were trapped underground in the Dachingshui and Jinwen tunnels in Hualien County were rescued.
Taiwan‘s earthquake monitoring agency said Wednesday morning’s quake had a magnitude of 7.2 – while the US Geological Survey put it at 7.4 and Japan’s meteorological agency 7.7.
The epicentre of the initial earthquake was about 11 miles southwest of Hualien and about 22 miles deep.
A 52-year-old who gave her name as Yu said “terrifying” aftershocks went on into the night, making her too scared to sleep in her house, which she described as a “mess”.
She instead checked herself into a tent on a sports ground being used for temporary accommodation.
“The aftershocks were terrifying. It’s non-stop. I do not dare to sleep in the house,” she said.
Tents set up for temporary accommodation. Pic: Reuters
At least 1,060 people were injured after the quake struck in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien county during morning rush hour on Wednesday at 7.58am local time (12.58am UK time).
Buildings have been seen balanced precariously at odd angles after the initial quake, while footage of a swimming pool shows a man in the water as the earthquake causes it to sway from side to side.
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Taiwan earthquake triggers landslide
Pic: Reuters
Meanwhile there were concerns that the earthquake could lead to supply chain disruption of semiconductor chips from the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) – the main contract chipmaker for companies like Apple and Nvidia – after they briefly evacuated some of their factories.
While most facilities are not close to the epicentre, TSMC said on Wednesday work was expected to resume overnight after inspections had taken place.
Dan Hutcheson, vice chair at Canadian research firm TechInsights said: “When you look at the business side of it – will this affect quarterly revenues? – the odds are it won’t. But it’s going to be a real headache for everyone involved to get this stuff back up and running.”
