Taiwan earthquake response early test for president-elect William Lai as he tells rescuers to ‘make the most of every minute’
- Lai visited Hualien, the worst affected area, to inspect relief operations after the quake that killed at least nine people and caused extensive damage
- An effective response to the natural disaster could help shore up the president-elect’s ‘weak mandate’ in an opposition stronghold, according to one analyst
At least nine people died after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off Hualien on the island’s east coast on Wednesday morning.
The quake – the strongest to hit the island in a quarter of a century – also injured more than 1,060 people, while 692 remain trapped. It also damaged hundreds of buildings, including two apartment blocks that collapsed in Hualien near the epicentre of the quake.
The quake also slightly damaged six of Taiwan’s F-16 fighters and two F-5Es parked in hangars at Hualien air force base.
The Taiwanese air force said the planes had suffered minor damage and scratches caused by boarding ladders rattling against their fuselage.
“The scratched parts have been promptly repaired and none of the damage will affect the combat readiness and patrol missions of the aircraft,” Taiwan’s air force said in a statement.