Two Australians missing in Taiwan after earthquake identified
The Australian Office in Taipei is making urgent inquiries to confirm the welfare of two Australians missing in Taiwan’s biggest earthquake in 25 years.
The two Australians missing in Taiwan’s biggest earthquake in 25 years have been identified.
The Australian understands the two missing dual Australian-Singaporean citizens are Neo Siew Choo and Sim Hwee Kok.
They are among four foreign nationals unaccounted for in Wednesday’s 7.2 magnitude earthquake which hit Hualien County, killing ten people.
The family of Choo and Kok are understood to reside in Singapore, and Australian authorities are working closely with Singaporean and Taiwanese jurisdictions in the search for the missing pair.
In a statement on Friday, a DFAT spokesman said: “The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is aware of two Australians reported missing following the earthquake in Taiwan”.
“The Australian Office in Taipei is making urgent inquiries with local authorities to confirm their welfare.
“Owing to our privacy obligations we are unable to provide further comment.”
More than 600 people are reported as trapped, but safe, in the earthquake.
There are several dozen workers trapped inside a quarry who are reportedly safe but unable to be lifted out due to damaged roads. A number of guests and employees at a hotel in Taroko Gorge are also trapped, but reportedly safe.
According to local reports, more than 70 foreigners have been rescued so far, while the number of injured hit 1099.
Local media said 18 people were still missing, including four foreign nationals from India, Canada and Australia. Their location is not known.
Western Australian Labor MP Tania Lawrence was holidaying in Taiwan with her husband when the earthquake hit, telling ABC Radio on Thursday she had woken to a “violent” noise.
“There was this most extraordinary noise and it sounded like distant rolling thunder that was just getting louder and louder,” she told ABC Perth.
Tuesday’s earthquake is the most significant temblor to hit the island since 1999, which killed 2415 and injured more than 11,000.
With News Wire.
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