The death toll due to Wednesday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake remains at nine, with more than 1,000 people injured, 646 trapped, and 42 missing, according to the latest statistics from the Central Emergency Operation Center (CEOC) as of 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The CEOC Commander, Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang (林右昌), states that more than 24 hours have passed since the earthquake occurred and every second counts against survival for those still awaiting rescue.
All 64 people at Taiwan Cement’s Heping facility were evacuated safely at 12:30 noon on Thursday. However, the CEOC reports that those who are still trapped include 615 guests and workers at Silks Place Taroko Hotel and Tienhsiang Youth Activity Center, 24 tourists on the Taroko National Park Tunnel of Nine Turns trail, six National Dong Hwa University students, and one person on the Central Cross-Island Highway at marker 170K. The 42 missing people lost contact while visiting Taroko National Park.
Lin reminds the public the Central Weather Administration has reported that aftershocks are likely along with rainfall, which can cause dangerous conditions in mountainous areas. He advises against travel in the next few days regardless of the Qingming Festival. He also states that relevant emergency response units are implementing control and will, if necessary, conduct airdrops to isolated facilities to aid the public until roads can be restored.