(Taiwan, 26th) The flood disaster in Guangfu Township, Hualien County, Taiwan, has entered its fourth day. The golden 72-hour rescue window will expire at 4 pm on the 26th. Including Hualien itself, more than 400 personnel from 12 counties and cities have joined the efforts. On the 26th, the search area was expanded, with teams deployed to 9 locations, seizing this critical time to rescue the 14 people still missing.
According to United Daily News, as of the evening of the 25th, floodwaters overflowing from the barrier lake have caused 14 deaths. Authorities have completed autopsy procedures, though the identities of two individuals remain to be confirmed. In addition, 14 people are still missing and are being vigorously searched for by firefighters.
Wu Zhaoyuan, Chief of Hualien County Fire Department, expressed gratitude for the rescue support from other counties and cities. On the 26th, including Hualien, 12 counties and cities, with more than 400 people, along with 10 search and rescue dogs and a variety of equipment, split into 9 teams to expand the search.
Jian Hongcheng, Captain of the Hualien County Fire Department's Special Search Team, said that with more manpower on site, they decided to expand the scope and conduct a grid search. They have currently divided the area into nine zones, including the Jilitang area, which had not been searched before. They are also considering that people swept away by water in Mataian Creek could have floated downstream, so they will search downstream as well. Most of the missing individuals are concentrated in the urban area, which is also a priority for the rescue.
Rescuers originally planned to search overnight, but in the evening, floodwaters rose again on Fo Zu Street in the city, forcing a suspension of operations. Jian Hongcheng said that they would set out first thing on the 26th morning, and that everyone hopes to find people as soon as possible.
According to United Daily News, as of the evening of the 25th, floodwaters overflowing from the barrier lake have caused 14 deaths. Authorities have completed autopsy procedures, though the identities of two individuals remain to be confirmed. In addition, 14 people are still missing and are being vigorously searched for by firefighters.
Wu Zhaoyuan, Chief of Hualien County Fire Department, expressed gratitude for the rescue support from other counties and cities. On the 26th, including Hualien, 12 counties and cities, with more than 400 people, along with 10 search and rescue dogs and a variety of equipment, split into 9 teams to expand the search.
Jian Hongcheng, Captain of the Hualien County Fire Department's Special Search Team, said that with more manpower on site, they decided to expand the scope and conduct a grid search. They have currently divided the area into nine zones, including the Jilitang area, which had not been searched before. They are also considering that people swept away by water in Mataian Creek could have floated downstream, so they will search downstream as well. Most of the missing individuals are concentrated in the urban area, which is also a priority for the rescue.
Rescuers originally planned to search overnight, but in the evening, floodwaters rose again on Fo Zu Street in the city, forcing a suspension of operations. Jian Hongcheng said that they would set out first thing on the 26th morning, and that everyone hopes to find people as soon as possible.