Taiwan Photo: "Resurrection from the Dead" Taroko Mountain Tunnel Rescue

　　China News Service, Hualien, April 4th, Title: "Resurrection from the Dead" Taroko Mountain Tunnel Rescue

　　China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen

　　On the afternoon of the 4th, more than 30 well-known hotel employees who were trapped in the Zhongheng Highway Tunnel on Line 8 of Taroko Terrace in Hualien due to the strong earthquake were rescued one after another.

　　A reporter from China News Service rushed to the entrance of Zhongheng Highway in Taroko Park that day. There were obvious signs of landslides on the mountains on both sides of the Liwu River outlet. Walking from the parking area to the "East-West Crossing Highway" archway, the road on the side of the mountain is covered with large rocks. On-site staff told reporters that after the earthquake on the morning of the 3rd, landslides brought dust all over the sky. Local residents said that "the sun was not visible until 11 o'clock."

On the afternoon of April 4, more than 30 hotel employees who were trapped in the Zhongheng Highway Tunnel on Line 8 of Taroko Terrace in Hualien due to a strong earthquake were rescued one after another. The picture shows the archway of the "East-West Crossing Highway" in Taroko Park after the earthquake. The road on the side of the mountain is covered with large rocks. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen

　　Xiulin Township, Hualien County, where Taroko Jingying Hotel is located, is one of the mountainous areas most severely affected by the earthquake. Provincial Highway 8 Zhongheng Highway is the only way to get to the hotel. More than 30 employees took four minibuses to work in the mountains on the 3rd. They were hit by a strong earthquake on the way and lost contact for a time. It was not until the three employees walked back to the hotel that afternoon that the news that the employees were trapped was learned by the outside world.

　　Search and rescue personnel sent out aerial photography drones to explore and found trapped people waving for help at 175 kilometers along the Zhongheng Highway, and confirmed the identity of the group.

On the afternoon of April 4, more than 30 Jingying Hotel employees who were trapped in the Zhongheng Highway Tunnel on Line 8 of Taroko Terrace in Hualien due to a strong earthquake were rescued one after another. The picture shows Chen Weihua, manager of hotel security department. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen

　　After being rescued, Chen Weihua, manager of the hotel safety department, told reporters from China News Service the thrilling moment when the vehicle was hit by a falling rock. On the morning of the 3rd, when the minibus reached the Ming Tunnel, an earthquake alarm suddenly sounded on everyone's mobile phones. Chen Weihua recalled: "(I saw) rocks starting to fall in the tunnel on the opposite side. After a second, I said 'hurry up', and then the front collapsed. A big rock hit the back of the car and the minibus tilted up. But fortunately The car can still move, so we continue to rush forward until we reach the tunnel in front. Another car is parked behind."

　　The Disaster Response Center of the Taiwan authorities stated at noon on the 4th that the most concentrated places for trapped people in Hualien County were the Taroko Jingying Hotel and the nearby Tianxiang Activity Center, with more than 600 people.

　　Chen Weihua and his party, who were trapped in the mountains, were among the more than 600 people. Aerial footage showed that the tail of the minibus was severely damaged. The trapped persons stood beside the cement pillars of the tunnel and reported to the aerial camera in sign language that they were safe, and informed that some passengers had their legs smashed. Outside the tunnel, there are many cars parked.

　　At 3:45 pm, Chen Weihua was transferred to the search and rescue command post near the entrance of Zhongheng Highway. His hat and clothes were covered with dust. The wife, who had been waiting for a long time, couldn't help but choke up when she saw her husband return safely. Relatives and friends around him comforted him: "Just be safe, be safe."

On the afternoon of April 4, more than 30 Jingying Hotel employees who were trapped in the Zhongheng Highway Tunnel on Line 8 of Taroko Terrace in Hualien due to a strong earthquake were rescued one after another. The picture shows the family member of the trapped Chen Weihua. She couldn't help but choked up when she saw her husband who was rescued safely. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen

　　Chen Weihua accepted an interview with reporters after comforting his family. He introduced that the special search and rescue team arrived at the place where everyone was trapped at around 11:30 noon that day, and more than 30 people had spent more than 24 hours in the tunnel. The injured were taken to the hospital by ambulance.

　　Chen Weihua used the words "resurrection from the dead" and "resurrection from the dead" to describe his mood. "I was so frightened at the time of the earthquake that rocks were raining from the sky." After the first wave of strong earthquakes, Chen Weihua and his companions placed the injured in a relatively safe place while calming the emotions of other trapped people. "Fortunately, there was water in the car, which helped us get through safely."

　　At around 9:50 pm on the 3rd, a group of people saw a construction vehicle at the entrance of the tunnel. Chen said: "We were already very happy at that time and started waving, feeling that there was hope of rescue. We are all very lucky to have survived now."

　　On the evening of the 4th, Chen Yifeng, captain of the Taiwan Fire Department's special search and rescue team, told the media at the search and rescue command post that the search and rescue work on the second day of the Hualien earthquake came to an end. A total of about 150 trapped people were rescued in the Taroko area. A 65-year-old man named Lien who had been missing from the Xiaozuilu Trail was confirmed to have died. The death toll from the earthquake rose to 10.

　　As of press time, according to statistics from the Taiwan authorities' Disaster Response Center, 660 people are still trapped and 38 people are missing. (over)