TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Dimitris Belbas, a Greek national whose courage touched and impressed Taiwanese people during the April 3 earthquake, shared his feelings in an exclusive interview with TVBS a month later at Taipei Tianmu Baseball Stadium.
On April 3, Dimitris, his Taiwanese wife Monica, and other tourists were trapped on a trail in the hard-hit Taroko Gorge. Together, Dimitris and his wife guided many tourists to safety and offered solace to those in distress.
In recognition of his bravery, the Wei Chuan Dragons invited him to throw the first ceremonial pitch on May 17. The General Association of the Scouts of China (中華民國童軍總會) also used this occasion to award him the International Friendship Award.
Sporting navy blue during the interview, Dimitris attributed his survival skills to his scouting experience. He recounted each decision-making process from April 3 vividly. “We had no option of going outside because there were a lot of rocks falling and landslides,” Dimitris described.
“I found three ladies who were in a covered area and asked them to come with us. Then, I found a family of five hiding in a tunnel,” Dimitris recounted. Despite the emergency, Dimitris remained calm and ensured everyone knew who was present, giving hope to those in distress.
Speaking about the most important considerations during an emergency, Dimitris emphasized first protecting oneself. “Earthquakes do not last long. After the first seconds or minutes, start looking for who is close to you. If they're safe, then bring everybody together,” he said. He also highlighted securing communication and finding food and water.
Joining the scouts at age 12, Dimitris believed the experience equipped people with essential survival skills. Scouts learn to find materials, make instructions, and survive outdoors, which is invaluable during emergencies. “The scouts' training is actually the scout way of living life. Take care of others and make sure everybody is safe,” stated Dimitris.
Dimitris’s scouting background in Greece instilled hope amid Taiwan’s earthquake devastation. The spirit of scouting and international friendship shone brightly in dark times, remaining a cherished memory in Taiwan.