Missing Aussies spotted on CCTV minutes before disappearing without a trace
Two missing Australian Singaporeans in Taiwan were captured on CCTV leaving a bus near a nature trail about 40 minutes before a deadly earthquake struck.
The Australian reported that Neo Siew Choo and Sim Hwee Kok were heading to the Shakadang Trail in Taroko National Park when they last got off a bus at about 7.20am.
The couple had boarded the bus at 6:30 am while on vacation in Hualien City.
CCTV shows Australian couple Neo Siew Choo and Sim Hwee Kok leaving a bus near a nature trail that partially collapsed about 40 minutes before the Hualien earthquake in Taiwan.
Chen Yifeng, the leader of the special search and rescue team, told the media that part of the path had collapsed during the earthquake.
The bodies of three other people who went missing on the railway have been recovered.
Choo and Kok, along with one other person, are still missing as rescuers try to find them.
Sandy Sandro Wong shared a photo of the couple on the Hualien Earthquake Relief Information page on Facebook to help search and rescue teams find the couple.
The magnitude 7.2 earthquake was recorded in the Taiwanese city of Hualien last Wednesday, killing seven people and injuring more than 1,000.
A man carrying a child receives medical attention at a temporary rescue command post after being rescued from Taroko National Park in Hualien on April 5. Photo: I-Hwa Cheng / AFP
Devastating scenes emerged from the city, with buildings shaking uncontrollably before toppling, and some collapsing into busy streets.
A massive emergency rescue operation was launched, with authorities trying to free residents trapped under the rubble.
It was the largest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years.
Buildings shook uncontrollably during the 7.2 magnitude earthquake, and some collapsed onto the busy streets below
A spokesperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said they were providing consular assistance to the family of two Australians reported missing after the Taiwan earthquake.
“The Australian office in Taipei is working closely with local authorities to confirm the welfare of the missing Australians,” the spokesperson said.
“We are aware of a small number of Australians who have been evacuated from the area following the Taiwan earthquake.
“Australians in the region are advised to follow the guidance of local authorities.
‘Due to our privacy obligations, we are unable to comment further.
“Australians in the region are advised to follow the directions of local authorities.”