SINGAPORE – Two Singaporeans are missing in Taiwan after the earthquake on April 3.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said on April 5 that the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei is in close touch with the local authorities on the matter.
In response to queries, the MFA said its officials have been in contact with the next of kin and are providing consular assistance.
The spokesperson added that they will continue to monitor the situation closely.
On April 6, Taiwan’s Interior Minister Lin Yu-chang said that Taiwan’s police have contacted the families of the two Singaporeans, and will provide assistance to them if they travel to Taiwan.
The Straits Times reported on April 4 that eight Singaporeans were among 71 foreigners who were rescued by the Taiwanese authorities after being trapped in Hualien, the epicentre of the quake.
Another four Singaporeans were evacuated from Hualien by helicopter on April 5, Taiwan’s fire department said. Also among the 82 airlifted that day were people from the Netherlands, Hong Kong, the US and Malaysia, it added.
According to MFA, two of the eight had light injuries and have been helped by the local authorities.
“MFA is aware of the eight Singaporeans rescued by Taiwanese authorities and is extending consular assistance to them,” the spokesperson said.
Apart from the Singaporeans, those rescued included 25 people from Germany, seven from Switzerland, seven from the US, six from Britain, four from Israel, four from the Netherlands, three from Canada, three from France, two from Australia and two from Hungary.
“We express our appreciation to the Taiwanese authorities for the quick assistance and support they have extended,” the spokesperson said, adding that the trade office in Taipei continues to be in close contact with the Taiwanese authorities as rescue and relief efforts continue.
As at 8.30pm on April 5, the Hualien county government said 10 people – eight locals and two foreigners – are missing.
The death toll from the temblor now stands at 12, and more than 1,000 are injured.
Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes. More than 100 people were killed in a 2016 quake in its south, while a 7.3-magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 in 1999.
