Two Australian Citizens Absent Following Devastating Earthquake
The Australian government is contacting the Taiwanese government to verify the well-being of two missing citizens.
Following a destructive earthquake in the Taiwanese coastal city of Hualien on April 3, resulting in over 1,000 casualties, the Australian government has confirmed that two of its citizens are currently unaccounted for.
On April 5, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provided an update on the number of Australians affected by the 7.4 magnitude quake.
“The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of two Australians reported missing following the earthquake in Taiwan,” they stated.
“The Australian Office in Taipei is urgently seeking information from local authorities to confirm their safety.”
However, due to privacy obligations, DFAT declined to disclose further details about the missing individuals.
According to the Taiwanese government, as of April 5, 18 people are still missing, including four foreigners (one Indian, one Canadian, and two Australians).
The powerful earthquake, the strongest in the region in 25 years, claimed the lives of 10 individuals, with 1,100 sustaining injuries from collapsed structures and other damages.
Hualien Mayor Hsu Chen-wei reported that 48 residential buildings were damaged by the quake, some tilting dangerously.
The earthquake also caused road closures, leaving many stranded at a luxury hotel in Taroko Gorge National Park.
Despite Taiwanese authorities’ rescue efforts, adverse weather conditions are currently impeding their operations.
“These factors are unpredictable, making it difficult to determine the duration of the search and rescue operations at this time.”
Due to its location near the convergence of two tectonic plates, Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes.
A previous quake in 2016 resulted in 100 fatalities, while the deadliest earthquake in Taiwan’s history occurred in 1999, claiming 2,000 lives.
This action led to strong criticism from the Taiwanese government towards the CCP, labeling it as “shameless.”
The CCP has long claimed Taiwan as part of its territory and asserted the right to represent the country internationally, although it has never governed it.
CCP Leader Xi Jinping has vowed to bring Taiwan under Beijing’s control by any means necessary.
