Reported by Ted Vandeloo, World Vision
International Communications Officer
September 21, 1999, 4:00 p.m. AEST
- A massive earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan at 1:47 a.m. (local time) today. The quake centred on the middle of the island, and the aftershocks registered as high as 5.0. This is thought to be the biggest quake in Taiwan this century.
At the time of writing the death toll has passed 650 people with 3,000 being injured and 30,000 people made homeless. At least 1,200 more people are still feared trapped in the rubble, many buildings are still on fire and there are local fears of possible tsunamis.
There has been a total power failure, and communications disruption affecting the offices of World Vision Taiwan. The office received relatively minor structural damage but its contents have been shambled. The 7th floor is back in use but staff cannot get access to the offices on the 5th floor. Power and water remain out. The Taiwanese underground and mobile phone system has also been affected.
Of World Vision's 400 staff in Taiwan, 380 are accounted for and safe. However, 20 staff members were in the epicentre area of the quake when it struck and they cannot be reached due to the communications failure.
World Vision Taiwan National Director, Tim Shao, today requested prayer support for his missing staff and for the many thousands of people affected by the huge earthquake in Taiwan. He has today committed World Vision Taiwan's emergency relief reserve of US$625,000 to a World Vision "Taiwan Earthquake Appeal," and called on other national offices to launch similar appeals as well.
"This is the first time that we have needed to call on the support and solidarity of the whole World Vision family; we can really do with it now," he said. The World Vision emergency fund will concentrate upon temporary shelters and medical aid for the affected people.
Shao has cut short his family holiday in Perth, Australia, and will be back in Taipei late Wednesday, September 22. He is in constant contact with his office in Taipei and is available for interview.
Copyright 1999 World Vision Inc.