TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Following a magnitude 5.9 earthquake that struck Gansu Province in mainland China, leaving 105 dead and 4,782 homes damaged, Taiwan’s Minister of Interior, Lin Yu-chang, announced Tuesday (Dec. 19) that President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Chen Chien-jen have been alerted and instructed prompt preparations for emergency relief efforts.
According to standard operating procedures outlined by the National Fire Agency (NFA), a 160-member search and rescue team from Taipei City and Pingtung County, including a structural engineer, four doctors, four nurses, four dogs certified in International Search and Rescue Dog Organisation (IRO) rubble search, and approximately 13 tons of assorted search and rescue equipment stands ready.
Lin further stated that communication has been established with mainland China through the Mainland Affairs Council to coordinate and understand rescue needs. Should mainland China request support, the NFA will collaborate with the Disaster Relief Foundation to activate a special charter flight mechanism to carry out humanitarian rescue missions.
An earthquake also shook neighboring Qinghai Province, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals, bringing mainland China's total earthquake death toll to 118. The Gansu Province quake occurred at 11:59 p.m. on Dec. 18.
As Taiwan prepares to offer aide, the quick mobilization highlights the island's readiness to provide humanitarian assistance despite the complex political relationship with Beijing.