This footage was filmed and produced 4 April 2024.

Some people were rescued from a tunnel near Taroko Park in Hualien County of Taiwan after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area off Hualien on Wednesday.

On Thursday morning, rescuers found 59 people trapped in the tunnel near Taroko Park, a renowned geopark featuring scenery of marble gorge.

Groups of trapped individuals have been rescued, each appearing covered in dust. After undergoing registration and verification, they emerged to be greeted by waiting crowds.

"We didn't realize it was an earthquake but our mobile phones were alerting us. By the time we checked our phones, it was too late, everything was collapsing. It felt like we were buried alive. We couldn't see anything in the car as it was so foggy everywhere," said a woman who was rescued.

Along the roads near the scenic sites of Taroko Park, the aftermath of the earthquake was evident with landslides and fallen rocks and rubbles littering the foot of mountains.

The local firefighting department continues its rigorous rescue efforts for those still trapped.

Only rescue vehicles and personnel from the firefighting department are permitted to carry out evacuation and rescue operations on the roads.

The devastating earthquake killed at least 10 people and injured more than 1,000 others as of Thursday.

According to the statistics from the Taiwan meteorological agency, as of 08:59 Thursday, there had been a total of 324 tremors, including the main shock and aftershocks.

SHOTLIST

Hualien County, Taiwan, China - April 4, 2024
1. Ambulance helicopter;
2. Various of road signs, mountains;
3. Rescued people hurrying to register;
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) rescued woman (name not given):
"We didn't realize it was an earthquake but our mobile phones were alerting us. By the time we checked our phones, it was too late, everything was collapsing. It felt like we were buried alive. We couldn't see anything in the car as it was so foggy everywhere.";
5. Mountain;
6. Cracked road surface.

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