The search for two Australians reported missing after Taiwan’s worst earthquake in 25 years has been halted.
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.
On Friday, the search to find them was paused when “it became dangerous for the rescue teams to operate” due to the risks of aftershocks and landslides.
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In a statement, the couple’s families said that they “dearly want them to be found but cannot allow this to be at the risk of someone else’s life”.
“The events have made us deeply appreciate the preciousness of life.”
The families thanked the Hualien County Fire Department “for their dedication and tireless efforts in the search for our family” and asked that they resume the search “once it is safe to do so”. but only “by always putting their own safety first”.
“We hope that Hualien will be rebuilt as soon as possible so that more people can experience the beauty of the place and the warmth of its people,” the families said.
The leader of a search team helping the rescue effort said rain had hampered search efforts, 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.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs told 7NEWS.com.au it is “providing consular assistance to the families of two Australians reported missing following the earthquake in Taiwan”.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we cannot provide further comment.”
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.
Many others visit tourist spots, such as Hualien, famed for its rugged beauty, but the earthquake has crushed business, with many bookings cancelled, some businesses said.
“This is a disaster actually 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
