03:03Mandatory credit: Taiwan Presidential office
Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te arrived to inspect the affected area in Hualien following deadly 7.2 magnitude earthquake which hit Taiwan's east coast earlier in the day.
Footage shows the politician arriving to the affected area and talking to firefighters and rescue crews.
While speaking to the journalists, Lai Ching-te stressed that the 'top priority' for the rescue crews is to 'save people' trapped under the rubble.
"We must cross-examine carefully how many people are trapped, we quickly rescue the trapped people, and the injured people should also be given good medical treatment, so that they can quickly recover," said the president-elect.
Lai Ching-te also stressed that the rebuilding process of residential houses and facilities as well as restoration of power, water supply and transportation for those affected should be prompt.
"As for the water and electricity supply, it will also be restored as soon as possible to enable people to return to normal life. ... At present if there is a need for resettlement, the central government will subsidise the rent, and the follow-up will include some interest subsidies to be made up, and the central government will also do it," concluded the politician.
At time of publication, Taiwanese officials reported nine people killed in total, 821 injured and 127 trapped under the rubble. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre stated that 26 buildings had collapsed in Hualien County, the area worst affected by the quake.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5km. Tsunami warnings issued for Japan’s southern area of Okinawa and the Philippines were later lifted.
Wednesday's earthquake is reportedly the biggest to hit Taiwan since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor left at least 2,400 dead.
'Top priority is to save people' - President-elect Lai Ching-te inspects area in Hualien following deadly earthquake
Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te arrived to inspect the affected area in Hualien following deadly 7.2 magnitude earthquake which hit Taiwan's east coast earlier in the day.
Footage shows the politician arriving to the affected area and talking to firefighters and rescue crews.
While speaking to the journalists, Lai Ching-te stressed that the 'top priority' for the rescue crews is to 'save people' trapped under the rubble.
"We must cross-examine carefully how many people are trapped, we quickly rescue the trapped people, and the injured people should also be given good medical treatment, so that they can quickly recover," said the president-elect.
Lai Ching-te also stressed that the rebuilding process of residential houses and facilities as well as restoration of power, water supply and transportation for those affected should be prompt.
"As for the water and electricity supply, it will also be restored as soon as possible to enable people to return to normal life. ... At present if there is a need for resettlement, the central government will subsidise the rent, and the follow-up will include some interest subsidies to be made up, and the central government will also do it," concluded the politician.
At time of publication, Taiwanese officials reported nine people killed in total, 821 injured and 127 trapped under the rubble. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre stated that 26 buildings had collapsed in Hualien County, the area worst affected by the quake.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5km. Tsunami warnings issued for Japan’s southern area of Okinawa and the Philippines were later lifted.
Wednesday's earthquake is reportedly the biggest to hit Taiwan since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor left at least 2,400 dead.
Mandatory credit: Taiwan Presidential office
Taiwanese president-elect Lai Ching-te arrived to inspect the affected area in Hualien following deadly 7.2 magnitude earthquake which hit Taiwan's east coast earlier in the day.
Footage shows the politician arriving to the affected area and talking to firefighters and rescue crews.
While speaking to the journalists, Lai Ching-te stressed that the 'top priority' for the rescue crews is to 'save people' trapped under the rubble.
"We must cross-examine carefully how many people are trapped, we quickly rescue the trapped people, and the injured people should also be given good medical treatment, so that they can quickly recover," said the president-elect.
Lai Ching-te also stressed that the rebuilding process of residential houses and facilities as well as restoration of power, water supply and transportation for those affected should be prompt.
"As for the water and electricity supply, it will also be restored as soon as possible to enable people to return to normal life. ... At present if there is a need for resettlement, the central government will subsidise the rent, and the follow-up will include some interest subsidies to be made up, and the central government will also do it," concluded the politician.
At time of publication, Taiwanese officials reported nine people killed in total, 821 injured and 127 trapped under the rubble. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre stated that 26 buildings had collapsed in Hualien County, the area worst affected by the quake.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5km. Tsunami warnings issued for Japan’s southern area of Okinawa and the Philippines were later lifted.
Wednesday's earthquake is reportedly the biggest to hit Taiwan since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor left at least 2,400 dead.