2 bodies found as Taiwan tremor death toll rises to 12 amid race to rescue trapped people on 3rd day

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - With the discovery of two more bodies on a hiking trail in eastern Hualien County on Friday, the death toll from Taiwan's 7.4-magnitude earthquake rose to 12.

A man and a woman's bodies were found on a hiking trail in Hualien County, bringing the total number of deaths to 12, Central News Agency reported.

The victims appeared to have been hit by the boulders loosened by the tremor.

More than 1,100 people were injured due to the tremor, the strongest to hit the island nation in 25 years.

Around 18 people, including some foreigners, are still missing while dozens more are trapped who were either hiking or inside Taroko National Park in Hualien County, which was the epicenter of Wednesday’s earthquake.

Meanwhile, President Tsai Ing-wen's administration has allocated NT$300 million (approximately $9.37 million) to earthquake-affected areas and people.

The strong quake has devastated communication lines, damaging roads and bridges.

Search and rescue teams, which include Taiwanese soldiers, are also facing a tough situation owing to difficult terrain and the threat of loose rocks displaced by the earthquake.

Authorities have deployed helicopters, ships, and vessels to transport affected people to safer locations.