This footage was filmed and produced 7 April 2024.

People trapped in mountainous areas of Hualien County, China's Taiwan region, are being evacuated as roads are repaired and cleared after the deadly earthquake on Wednesday.

As of Sunday morning, Wednesday's 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan region had killed 13 people and injured more than 1,100, with six missing.

Debris on the road from the entrance of the Taroko Gorge National Park, a renowned geopark featuring scenery of marble gorge, to the Tienhsiang area has been cleared, which allowed the trapped people to evacuate on their own.

"When we went down the mountain, we saw the road was covered by dust and dirt about two centimeters deep, and there was sand all over the road," said one of the evacuated residents.

More than 600 aftershocks have occurred in the Hualien area after the quake, and rockfalls continued along Taiwan's No. 8 provincial highway. Evacuees had to drive for more than one hour to cover the distance from the Taroko Gorge National Park to the Tienhsiang area which usually takes no more than half an hour.

According to statistics, as of Sunday morning, there were about 280 people trapped in the Silks Place Taroko Hotel and a local activity center, and more than 50 teachers and students were trapped in a primary school located in northwestern part of Tienhsiang area.

According to the disaster response center of Taiwan, in addition to evacuating the trapped people in mountainous areas, rescuers will continue to search for the six who remain missing.

The earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien County at 7:58 on Wednesday.

Taiwan's meteorological agency said it was the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years since a deadly earthquake struck on Sept 21, 1999.

SHOTLIST

Hualian County, Taiwan, China - April 7, 2024
1. Various of cars carrying residents moving on road;
2. Police officers working;
3. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Trapped resident (name not given):
"As we went down the mountain, we saw the road was covered by dust and dirt about two centimeters deep, and there was sand all over the road.";
4. Various of repaired roads, mountains.

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