Taiwan rescuers narrow down search area for 2 missing Singaporeans in quake-hit Hualien
Two missing Singaporeans Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo were last seen in CCTV footage alighting from a bus at the Shakadang trail in Hualien's Taroko National Park on Apr 3, 2024, 40 minutes before the quake struck. (Images: Taiwan Emergency Response Unit)
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SINGAPORE: Taiwan rescuers on Sunday (Apr 7) said they have narrowed down the search perimeter for the two missing Singaporeans following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake on Wednesday.
In CCTV footage from a shuttle bus released on Sunday morning, authorities said that the couple alighted at the Shakadang trail in Hualien's Taroko National Park at about 7.20am on Wednesday, about 40 minutes before the quake struck.
Separate footage provided on Saturday showed the couple standing in line at a bus station in Hualien City at about 6.30am on Wednesday. Authorities said then that the bus driver could not remember where the couple had alighted.
The missing pair have been identified as Sim Hwee Kok and Neo Siew Choo, according to a Facebook group named Hualien Earthquake Relief Information.
Two sisters of the woman arrived in Taiwan on Sunday, while the sister of the man is due in Taiwan on Monday.
Rescuers calculated their hiking path based on the bus' CCTV footage and narrowed down the search area, Taiwan's emergency response unit said on Sunday.
The search and rescue efforts comprised different ground teams, including the drone units from Türkiye, it added.
"We are searching the perimeter of that trail", said search Commander Lin Youchang.
The Singaporean couple are among at least 10 people still missing in the aftermath of the quake.
At least 12 people have been killed and more than 1,100 others injured.
Hundreds remain stranded at Taroko National Park, famed for its rugged mountainous terrain, as landslides have blocked tunnels and cut off road access.
Rescuers are trying to airlift people to safety, although efforts have been hampered by aftershocks.
Hualien has been roiled by more than 600 aftershocks.
It was reported on Thursday that eight Singaporeans were among 71 foreigners rescued after they were trapped in Hualien.
Two of them suffered light injuries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on Friday, adding that the ministry has contacted all e-registered Singaporeans in the regions affected by the earthquake.
“Our Trade Office in Taipei continues to be in close touch with the Taiwanese authorities as rescue and relief efforts continue,” MFA said.
“We express our appreciation to the Taiwanese authorities for the quick assistance and support they have extended.”
