At least 10 dead, over 1,000 hurt in Taiwan earthquake as survivor search continues

April 4 (UPI) -- At least 10 people have been confirmed dead and more than a thousand injured as rescuers Thursday continued to scour through rubble for dozens of people missing and trapped in Taiwan.

The Hualien Earthquake Central Emergency Operations Center reported Thursday "a total of 10 fatalities, 1,099 injuries, 705 people trapped, and 11 people missing."

The operations center said the local fire department, cities and counties in the area dispatched 42 disaster relief vehicles and 220 people with 12 search and rescue dogs to search for trapped victims.

Due to the narrow road and frequent rockfalls on site, disaster relief operations are difficult.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has been directed to establish a special account for donations through its affiliated Relieve Disaster Foundation. Contributions will be accepted for one month from April 4 to May 3, 2024.

The self-governing territory continues to reel from Wednesday's strong magnitude 7.2 earthquake, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years.

Some 300 aftershocks were recorded from Wednesday morning into Thursday, terrifying residents, according to Taiwan's weather administration.

The powerful earthquake struck eastern Taiwan's Hualien County minutes before 8 a.m. on Wednesday, causing severe damage, including buildings to collapse.

As of 8 a.m. Thursday the number of people injured had climbed to 1,038, according to Taiwan's National Fire Agency.

Responders were still working Thursday to rescue people trapped under rubble, it said. Of those trapped, 64 were located in the Heping Mine region.

Another 52 people have been reported missing. Emergency officials said the majority are employees of a hotel that were traveling aboard buses to Taroko National Park.

The park said on Facebook that several of its trails sustained "significant damage" and it will be closed until at least Sunday.

It added in a statement that some visitors had been injured on its trails during the temblor.

Meanwhile, the Central Disaster Response Center is warning the public that there is the possibility of further earthquakes.

"Please remain vigilant at all times, prepare for aftershocks, and be aware that mountain roads are prone to landslides and falling rocks after earthquakes," the center said in a statement.

According to the U.S. Geological Survey, Taiwan has been hit by nearly 50 aftershocks since the first earthquake struck.