HUALIEN (TVBS News) — A Greek tourist emerged as a hero after rescuing 12 people during a rockslide in Hualien's Taroko National Park caused by the magnitude 7.2 earthquake on April 3.
Despite the praise, Greek national Dimitris Belbas humbly dismissed the hero label, stating he was merely doing what needed to be done.
"I don't consider myself a hero," Belbas said. "The term 'hero' is heavy, and it implies someone who saves others single-handedly. I didn't save people alone. I was a scout years ago, and as a scout, I pledged to help others to the best of my ability."
Belbas, who was later identified as the son-in-law of Tsai Erh-huang, the former Taiwanese representative to New Zealand, was hiking on the Baiyang Trail with his wife and mother-in-law when the earthquake struck. Using rope skills he learned as a boy scout, Belbas first led seven trapped individuals to safety before alerting authorities and assisting in rescuing a family of five, including three children.
One rescued tourist revealed that Belbas used the rope from a national flag for assistance. He added that Belbas' calm and composed response to the earthquake brought comfort.