Five hikers who were climbing Big Ghost Lake and Little Ghost Lake had planned to descend on the 14th but got stranded at the 8K mark of Zhiben Forest Trail due to a landslide and flooding. As the trail had been blocked by a landslide at the 4K point near a waterfall with fast-flowing water, rescuers were unable to approach directly. They had to take a detour, slightly divert the upstream water source, and then hastily construct a makeshift log bridge using wood and ropes to daringly cross the rushing current. The stranded hikers were successfully rescued at 3:39 p.m. on the 15th.
Wu Baolong, deputy chief of the Taitung Brigade of the Fire Department, said there were multiple landslides along the forest trail, especially severe between the 4K and 8K marks, with one landslide nearly 30 meters wide. The waterfall was also causing a strong downwash, making the rescue extremely perilous. The five individuals had been caught in the rain for three days and showed signs of hypothermia, though their overall physical condition was normal. They refused medical transport after being brought down the mountain.
(China Times)