Images of the earthquake in Taiwan: There are still people trapped in tunnels and mountains

The earthquake that shook Taiwan left at least 127 people trapped under the rubble. Of them, around 80 They were trapped in the long tunnels that cross the mountains of Hualien County. With a tragic toll of 9 dead and more than 800 injured, authorities are rushing rescue efforts.

The epicenter of earthquakethe worst in 25 years, was located near the city of Hualienunleashing enormous landslides that blocked roads and left shaky buildings. The mountainous region of Hualien, the scene of the disaster, faces considerable damage that could take months to repair.

The situation is desperate for those who remained trapped in the tunnels and mountains. Some 127 individuals are under the rubble, including foreign nationals. An estimated 50 people were traveling on minibuses from Hualien to Taroko National Park when they were trapped.

The rescue team faces a monumental challenge. The cell phone signal has been cut off, making it difficult to contact the trapped people. It is not known for sure how long it will take to reach them, but efforts are underway, including overnight.

Earthquake affects Taroko National Park

Taroko National Park, one of the most affected places, has about thousand people trapped, between tourists and employees. Park authorities are working to establish the exact extent of the disaster and have closed their gates until April 7.

Authorities have urged visitors to avoid areas affected by the earthquake and have implemented additional security measures.

The president-elect, William Lai, visited Hualien county (southeast) this Wednesday, the area most affected by the strong earthquake, pointing out that the most important task now is rescue trapped people or missing.

The elected president stressed that the central Executive will “fully assist” local governments in reconstruction and relief efforts, while providing subsidies and “complete support measures” to victims.