(Taipei) Taiwan firefighters said two Canadians were among a group of people trapped by rockslides in a gorge after the strongest earthquake on the island in 25 years.
The fire service said in a Facebook post that the Canadians were among 12 people stranded on a trail in Taroko National Park, a popular hiking destination, and that rescue efforts were underway.
Other Canadians affected by the quake describe scenes of chaos and violent shaking that moved furniture and nearly knocked people to the ground during Wednesday morning’s rush hour.
Charlie Wu, a Vancouver-based community events organizer, says his rented apartment at 12e floor in Taiwan’s capital Taipei shook for “what seemed like minutes”, knocking bottles and plates from their closed cabinets.
Yvonne Chen, a tech company employee who splits her time between Burnaby, British Columbia, and Taipei, says the tremors in her 10e floor moved a large wardrobe 15 centimeters from its base and she had to crouch to avoid falling.
PHOTO WALID BERRAZEG, REUTERS
A crushed building in the city of Hualin, Taiwan.
Taiwan’s Emergency Operations Center said the quake, centered in Hualien County, about 150 kilometers south of Taipei, reached a magnitude of 7.2, leaving at least nine people dead, 946 injured and 152 people stuck.
Global Affairs Canada said in a statement that any Canadian in need of assistance should contact the department immediately, adding that there are 5,518 Canadian citizens registered in Taiwan.
Wu said the main quake was followed by a number of aftershocks in the following hours.
“It’s like getting off a cruise ship,” Wu said of his mental state after the quake. There’s this feeling that you’re not really grounded. It’s like everything is moving and you’re looking at the curtain (to see) if it’s moving or if it’s just you in your head.
“I still feel occasional (aftershocks), quick and much smaller than they were this morning. »
Mme Chen noted that the earthquake was light at first and she continued to prepare for work until the tremors became more powerful.
“I got to the point where I couldn’t stand and had to squat down,” she said, estimating that the shaking lasted about a minute.
Mme Chen and Mr. Wu said the tremors were comparable to the 1999 Taiwan earthquake, measuring 7.3 magnitude, which killed more than 2,400 people and destroyed about 52,000 buildings.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada had contacted Taiwanese officials and was ready to provide support if necessary.