48 hours since the 6.4 earthquake caused devastation in the south
- Survivors are pulled from rubble
- 6.4 quake struck 48 hours ago
- At least 38 dead, death toll set to rise
The rescue operation
Two more Taiwan quake survivors found, toll could exceed 100: https://t.co/vHy6wm48W3 pic.twitter.com/MIhmM9qrzU
— Reuters Top News (@Reuters) February 8, 2016
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A man in his forties has been pulled alive from the debris of a collapsed apartment building in Taiwan.
He has been taken to hospital for treatment. There has been no news so far on his condition.
Taiwan Earthquake survivor pulled from the rubble where her husband died https://t.co/ADLq5GE5uN #DailyMail
— News, Views, People. (@NewsViewsPeople) February 8, 2016
Rescuers are reported as saying the dead body of her husband protected Tsao Wei-ling from being crushed by a falling beam.
She reportedly called out to rescue workers as they dug down to her.
The body of her two-year-old child was found nearby. A further five members of her family remain unaccounted for.
Rescuers race against time to search for survivors at collapsed building after #Taiwan #earthquake pic.twitter.com/mKOCV3l9v0
— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 7, 2016
#UPDATE Two survivors rescued from rubble of Taiwan quake after 50 hours https://t.co/JzFubujOC4 pic.twitter.com/F6DKvmN3q5
— AFP news agency (@AFP) February 8, 2016
More than 100 people are still missing in the deeper levels of the debris. The official death toll has been put so far at at least 38. However, Taiwan’s Mayor William Lai says he expects the final number to exceed 100.
The official response
President-elect Tsai-Ing wen, accompanied incumbent president Ma Ying-jeou to visit survivors in hospital in Tainan.
Video Taiwan President Visits South China Sea Island … : https://t.co/Ijux6FtR38 …. pic.twitter.com/XBTuFQhKCK
— RMB Investor (@RMB_Investor) January 29, 2016
En
mujeres_radio</a> revisamos parte de la vida de la primera presidenta de Taiwán, Tsai Ing-wen / radiousach.cl <a href="https://t.co/VlfURu08qm">pic.twitter.com/VlfURu08qm</a></p>— Programa Mujeres (mujeres_radio) January 27, 2016
Tsai-Ing wen, who will take office in May, talked to injured survivors and medical staff at Chi Mei Medical Centre in the south of Taiwan.
Both say more measures are needed in the future to protect citizens from earthquake damage, particularly for older buildings across Taiwan which are prone to collapse.
What they are saying
“We started digging through the area of what had been the seventh floor on the evening of the day the earthquake struck. That was when we detected signs of life.” – rescue worker.
“We need to continue improving our preparedness, no matter whether it is shock-proofing buildings or taking any other measures that can prevent disasters.” – President Ma Ying-Jeou
“We need to continue improving our preparedness, no matter whether it is shock-proofing buildings or taking any other measures that can prevent disasters.” – President-elect Tsai-Ing wen.