The earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan on the 3rd killed 10 people and left more than 600 stranded in Hualien County, near the epicenter, due to landslides and falling rocks. As a result of rescue efforts by firefighters and others, two Japanese women and others who were stranded near the tourist spot Taroko Gorge were rescued.

Taiwanese authorities say that as of 4pm Japan time on the 5th, 10 people were killed and 1,123 people were injured in the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that occurred off the coast of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan on the 3rd.



In addition, 13 people, including three foreigners, have not been able to be contacted, so the fire department is conducting a search.

In addition, in Hualien County, which is close to the epicenter, 634 people were stranded due to falling rocks and landslides around Taroko Gorge, one of Taiwan's most scenic spots, and 634 people were stranded. Rescue operations continue.



On the afternoon of the 5th, a Japanese parent and child who had been stranded on a trip were rescued by a Taiwanese helicopter.

The people who were rescued were a mother and daughter in their 60s and 40s living in New Zealand, who were in the Taroko Valley on the morning of the 3rd for a trekking trip when the earthquake struck. In an interview, he said, ``Thanks to the people of Taiwan, I was able to spend my time without any major anxiety, so I'm grateful. I'm relieved to be able to come back.''

In addition, there were people who were rescued by fire rescue teams and others who arrived at relief stations, and were happy to be reunited with their families who had been worried about them.



A woman who works near the valley said, ``While I was driving, a rock fell.I panicked and didn't know what to do.When I managed to move to the tunnel, there were other people there. It was safe inside, but the road outside was in terrible condition."

Fault rises approximately 30km

As a result of the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan's analysis of satellite data regarding a major earthquake with an epicenter near Taiwan, it was found that crustal deformation occurred, with the fault in eastern Taiwan uplifting for approximately 30 km.



Regarding the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that occurred near Taiwan on the 3rd of this month, the Geospatial Information Authority of Japan analyzed the ground movement before and after the earthquake based on observation data from the radar of the artificial satellite "DAICHI-2".



As a result, crustal movements such as ground uplift were confirmed in an area of ​​approximately 30 km from the north side of the Huadong Long Valley Fault, which runs north-south in eastern Taiwan, to part of another fault to the north. is.



An earthquake with a magnitude of 6.7 occurred in 2018 near the epicenter of this earthquake, and the range of crustal movement at that time was approximately 15 km.



The Geospatial Information Authority of Japan says it appears that this earthquake caused the fault to rupture over a wider area, leading to the large shaking.

Japanese government to implement emergency grant aid worth 150 million yen

Foreign Minister Kamikawa announced at a press conference that the Japanese government will provide emergency grant aid in the amount of 1 million dollars = 150 million yen in response to the damage caused by the earthquake that occurred in Taiwan.



The money will be sent through the Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association and used to support food, water, sanitary supplies, etc.



Minister Kamikawa said, ``During the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, we received a great deal of heart-warming support from the people of Taiwan.We are actively providing support in line with the needs of the Taiwanese side, with the aim of recovering and rebuilding the affected areas as soon as possible.'' I will go.''

Taiwan Presidential Office thanks

In response to the Japanese government's announcement that it would provide emergency grant aid of 1 million dollars = 150 million yen in Japanese yen in response to the damage caused by the earthquake that occurred in Taiwan, Taiwan's Presidential Office announced on the 5th. A spokesperson said, ``Taiwan and Japan are both located in areas prone to earthquakes, and we are partners who support each other and have overcome many hardships together.''We express our sincere gratitude to the Japanese government and Japanese society for their consideration and assistance. I hope that the friendship between Taiwan and Japan will continue for a long time.''