The families of two Australians reported missing after Taiwan’s worst earthquake in 25 years are calling for search efforts to resume to find the couple, once it is deemed safe.
Issac Sim Hwee Kok and Ann Neo Siew Choo were on holiday in Taiwan when a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the sparsely populated, largely rural eastern county of Hualien on April 3.
At least 13 people were killed and more than 1,100 injured.
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Search efforts were paused on Friday after the area “became dangerous for the rescue teams to operate” due to the risks of aftershocks and landslides.
Loved ones of the missing couple thanked search and rescue teams for their “dedication and tireless efforts” and local officials for their assistance during the “terrible” time.
“The families dearly want them to be found but cannot allow this to be at the risk of someone else’s life,” they said on Wednesday.
“The events have made us deeply appreciate the preciousness of life.
“We ask that they resume the search and rescue operation once it is safe to do so.
“However, we also ask that they do so by always putting their own safety first.”
They said they hoped the county would rebuild as soon as possible “so that more people can experience the beauty of the place and the warmth of its people”.
The leader of a search team helping the rescue effort said rain had hampered operations, with the risks of rockfalls and landslides “currently the biggest challenges”.
“These factors are unpredictable, which means we cannot confirm the number of days required for the search and rescue operations,” Su Yu-ming said earlier.
The quake came a day before Taiwan began a long weekend holiday for the traditional tomb-sweeping festival when people head to their homes to spruce up ancestral graves.
Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency said the quake was 7.2 magnitude, while the US Geological Survey put it at 7.4.
Many others visit tourist spots, such as Hualien, famed for its rugged beauty.
But the earthquake has crushed business, with many bookings cancelled.
“This is a disaster for us because no matter (whether) hotel, hostel, restaurants, (everything) really depends on tourism,” said hostel owner Aga Syu, adding that her main concern was the wellbeing of guests.
“I hope this won’t destroy their image of Hualien.”
Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.
More than 100 people were killed in a 2016 quake in its south, while one of magnitude 7.3 killed more than 2,000 in 1999.
– with AAP/Reuters
