Earthquake in Taiwan: dozens of people trapped in tunnels after the worst earthquake in 25 years

Dozens of people were trapped in tunnels, under buildings or in blocked paths by huge boulders after the earthquake that hit Taiwan on Tuesday, the worst in the last 25 years with a toll, so far, of nine dead and more than 800 injuredas confirmed by the authorities.

Five of the dead, including three hikers on a trail, were killed by falling rocks, authorities said. while rescuers searched for more than 100 trapped people.

According to the United States Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was found about 18 kilometers south of the city of Hualien, Taiwan.

THE The remote mountainous region of Hualien hit by huge landslideswhich caused damage that could take weeks to repair.

The tremors were felt as far away as the capital, Taipei, and videos showed buildings shaking violently.

The earthquake initially caused a tsunami warning on the island and nearby countries, which has since been lifted.

Reached up

This is known 127 people are trappedof which 77 people inside the tunnels of Jinwen and Qingshui mountains in Hualien County.

Among those trapped are two German citizens in the Chongde Tunnel in Taroko National Park.

Another 50 people are trapped in four minibuses traveling from central Hualien to nearby Taroko Park.

The earthquake occurred on the eve of a long four-day weekend, from Thursday to Sunday, during local holidays.

These people are trapped in tunnels along what is called the Suhua Highwaywhich runs along the east coast and is one of the routes The most treacherous in Taiwan.

It is famous both for its beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean and for its danger, especially for their landslides.

This road was built by cutting into the mountainside and was blown up using literally dynamite and manpower, mostly military, to go from Yilan to Hualian in the 1950s.

Before that, there was no route around the northern coast of Taiwan to Hualian.

Long, non-contact tunnels

This 50 kilometer stretch of route features several tunnels, some of which are quite long. And it is precisely in two of those tunnels that tourists would be trapped.

It is not known what conditions they are in, whether they are safe, whether they have food and water, whether or not they can come into contact with the outside world.

Authorities said they lost contact with about 50 people aboard minibuses after a strong earthquake knocked out their cellphone signals.

It is also unknown how severe the blockages are and how long it will take rescue teams to reach them.

Presumably it might take some time. It’s kind of a nightmare to be on a bus, in a tunnel on a very treacherous stretch of road where On one side there is the mountain and on the other total immersion in the ocean.

Rescue teams are working to reach them by Wednesday night.