Two Singaporeans still missing in Taiwan, two days after 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Hualien

MFA officials in contact with their next of kin; 8 other Singaporeans among 71 foreigners rescued by Taiwanese authorities

·Editor

5 April 2024 at 6:51 am·2-min read

A half-collapsed building in Hualien, Taiwan, after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday. (PHOTO: Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)

SINGAPORE — Two Singaporeans are still missing in Taiwan following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday (3 April), with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) saying on Friday that the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei is in close touch with the local authorities on the matter.

The ministry told The Straits Times that its officials have been in contact with the next of kin of the two missing persons, and are giving consular assistance, as well as monitoring the situation closely.

As of Thursday, eight Singaporeans were among 71 foreigners rescued by Taiwanese authorities after being trapped in Hualien, the epicentre of the quake. MFA said that two of the eight Singaporeans had light injuries and have been helped by the local authorities.

“MFA is aware of the eight Singaporeans rescued by Taiwanese authorities and is extending consular assistance to them. We express our appreciation to the Taiwanese authorities for the quick assistance and support they have extended,” the ministry told ST.

Apart from the Singaporeans, those foreigners rescued included 25 people from Germany, seven from Switzerland, seven from the United States, six from Britain, four from Israel, four from the Netherlands, three from Canada, three from France, two from Australia and two from Hungary.

Death toll from quake stands at 12

Reuters have reported that the death toll from the earthquake stands at 12, with more than 1,000 injured. Taiwan’s fire department has put the number of missing people at 18.

About 50 aftershocks continued to rattle the island, with some being felt as far away as Taipei. Rescuers said about 400 people were safe despite being cut off in a luxury hotel in the Taroko Gorge national park, which is situated near Hualien. Helicopters have been ferrying out the injured and bringing supplies.

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 a 7.3-magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 in 1999.

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Death toll from quake stands at 12

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