HUALIEN, Taiwan – One day after Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years triggered landslides and toppled buildings, the eastern city of Hualien near the epicentre was unusually quiet for a long weekend.
Known for being the base for travellers to visit Hualien county’s picturesque Taroko National Park, the city is a popular travel destination with tourists, hikers and cyclists.
Local reports said that tour and hotel operators in the southern county of Pingtung, where the island’s sandy white Kenting beaches are situated, have since been inundated with booking requests from holidaymakers who wish to skip Hualien. When the earthquake struck waters off Hualien county before 8am that morning, Mr Sung had been driving a schoolteacher to work.At the 10-storey residential block downtown known as the Uranus Building, which has since become the face of the earthquake after it tilted heavily to one side, several roads leading to it have been cut off. Dozens of restaurants and shops in its vicinity have also been closed.
Speaking to The Straits Times, the 29-year-old, who wished to be known only by her nickname Cheng-cheng, said that she had left behind important documents, including her university certificates.Early inspections by structural engineers and the Hualien District Prosecutors Office found the building to be what is known as a “soft-leg” construction, which means that it lacked essential pillar support. Plans are under way for the building to be torn down on April 5.
Singapore Latest News, Singapore Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Taiwan earthquake: About 600 people stranded at hotel in Taroko National ParkA day on from Taiwan's 7.2-magnitude earthquake, the death toll has risen to 10, with the latest victim found on a hiking trail. 38 people remain missing or uncontactable. The island's eastern region has been shaken by hundreds of aftershocks since the quake.
Read more »
Resilient Taiwan responded fast to earthquake after years honing skillsHUALIEN (Taiwan) — When a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's scenic and largely rural east coast county of Hualien on Wednesday (April 3), local official Chang Tung-yao knew exactly what to do, having experienced a similar temblor six years before.
Read more »
Families shelter in tents as rescuers seek people cut off by Taiwan quakeHUALIEN, Taiwan: Relief workers set aside stuffed toys, blankets and baby formula for families sheltering on Thursday (Apr 4) in an elementary school in Hualien, the epicentre of Taiwan's biggest earthquake i
Read more »
Taiwan earthquake: 8 Singaporeans among 71 foreigners rescuedEight Singaporeans were among 71 foreigners who were rescued by the Taiwanese authorities after being trapped in Hualien following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake that hit eastern Taiwan on April 3.
Read more »
8 Singaporeans among 71 foreigners rescued in quake-hit Taiwan: ReportsSINGAPORE — Eight Singaporeans were among 71 foreigners rescued after they were trapped in earthquake-hit Hualien — the epicentre of Taiwan's
Read more »
Taiwan earthquake injuries climb above 1,000, hotel workers still missingHUALIEN, Taiwan: The number of people injured in a 7.2 magnitude earthquake in eastern Taiwan climbed past 1,000 on Thursday (Apr 4) though the death toll remained steady at nine, with 42 workers
Read more »