17-Year-Old Student Dies Weeks After Earthquake in Taiwan

A 17-year-old high school student died on April 26, 2024, after being seriously injured in the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Hualien County, eastern Taiwan, on April 3, 2024. The earthquake caused widespread damage, resulting in a total of 13 deaths and leaving 18 people missing, including three foreigners of Australian and Canadian nationality.

Rescuers faced challenges from landslides, rockfalls, and aftershocks as they worked to evacuate hundreds of people stranded in the Taroko Gorge national park and other areas. The earthquake struck during the morning rush hour, sending schoolchildren and families fleeing their homes. Over 1,000 people were injured, and rescue efforts were ongoing to reach those still missing.

Why this matters: The devastating earthquake in Taiwan has claimed multiple lives, including that of a young student, and left many others injured or missing. The tragedy highlights the ongoing challenges faced by rescue teams in the aftermath of natural disasters and the importance of earthquake preparedness in vulnerable regions.

The earthquake occurred a day before Taiwan's traditional tomb sweeping festival, which is a major tourist season, and has had a significant impact on the local tourism industry. Survivors described seeing tumbling rocks blocking roads and trapping people inside tunnels. Four people were killed while hiking in Taroko Gorge, and four others lost their lives while traversing the mountainous highways.

Hundreds of aftershocks have struck the area since the quake, making the demolition of a precariously leaning building in Hualien more challenging. The relatively low number of deaths has been attributed to strict construction standards and public education campaigns in the earthquake-prone island of Taiwan. However, authorities did not issue the usual alerts as they were expecting a smaller quake.

Search and rescue operations were temporarily suspended on Friday due to the aftershocks. Rescuers planned to use heavy equipment to recover two bodies pinned under boulders, but efforts were hindered by the risk of landslides and anticipated rain. "The earthquake has caused significant damage and loss of life," said a local official. "We are working tirelessly to rescue those still missing and provide support to the affected communities."

Key Takeaways

• Magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Taiwan on April 3, 2024, killing 13 and leaving 18 missing.
• Rescue efforts hampered by landslides, rockfalls, and aftershocks in Taroko Gorge and other areas.
• Over 1,000 people injured, including a 17-year-old student who later died from injuries.
• Earthquake occurred before Taiwan's tomb sweeping festival, impacting local tourism industry.
• Strict construction standards and public education campaigns credited for relatively low death toll.