President Ma Ying-jeou has visited the injured earthquake victims in two hospitals in Tainan. He promised that the government will give a maximum effort in its rescue actions.
Ma visited Sin Lau hospital and Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital’s Tainan branch on Monday. He consoled the injured victims, saying that the government now has more advanced equipment and better resources than the time of 921 Earthquake, and they will give their maximum effort in search and rescue missions.
The president has said that even though the critical 72-hour period for finding survivors is fast approaching, workers will continue rescue efforts long after that period has passed.
Ma also said that he will call for a discussion on improving safety regulations and push for structural reinforcement on unsafe buildings.
The 921 Earthquake occurred on September 21st 1999. It was the most damaging earthquake in Taiwan since WWII, killing 2,415 people, injuring over 10,000, and collapsing or damaging 50,000 buildings.