Taiwanese await word from Taipei
In the early morning hours of Monday, Belizeans joined a shocked world as news reports trickled in that a massive earthquake had rocked Taiwan’s capital Taipei. The magnitude was seven point six on the Richter scale with the epicenter ninety miles south southwest of Taipei. Today rescuers continue to sift through the debris in search of survivors. Many people are still in the streets and open ground as aftershocks continue to ripple through the city. By six p.m. local time in Taiwan yesterday, the death toll was over two thousand with the number rising. More than four thousand are reported injured with hundreds still believed trapped in collapsed buildings throughout the city. Taiwan may be half a world away but the quake has hit home to the Taiwanese community in Belize as they make frantic calls home to try and find out about friends and relatives. The Taiwanese Ambassador met with representatives from the Belize City and district communities to discuss ways they could help the victims of the quake. News Five spoke with Ambassador Shen this afternoon.
Alfred Shen, Taiwanese Ambassador to Belize
“Up to yesterday morning it was still unable for the people who live abroad to make connection, contact with Taiwan, relatives and friends.”
Q: “I understand that you have family members as well that you can’t get in contact with?”
Alfred Shen
“Well I have several brothers and relatives that still live in Taiwan and I make, try several times and not until the afternoon of yesterday that I can contact with them. Some of them still I’m still unable to reach so I am a little bit worried about them.”
The Taiwanese community in Belize has been monitoring the Internet and television newscasts for the latest reports about their homeland.
William Wong
“I’m very sad of that because I’m living in Belize and couldn’t go back right away so I’m trying to gather the Belizean people how to help you know the Taiwanese in Taiwan so I will try my best and do my best.”
Taiwan has so far received aid from European countries and the United States. Technical equipment and dogs are helping rescue workers locate people still trapped under the rubble. Ambassador Shen says Taiwan has been experiencing smaller earthquakes over the years but says the last major quake was over a century ago.
The Ambassador says he appreciates the condolences expressed by Prime Minister Said Musa in his Independence Day speech.
