(Updated 21:46 with additional details) A tragic cliff-fall accident has occurred in the mountainous region bordering Hualien and Taichung. A group of eight hikers from Taichung were climbing Mount Wuming, which stands at 3,451 meters above sea level in the northern section of the Central Mountain Range and is known as one of Taiwan’s “Ten Major Summits,” yesterday evening when two male hikers accidentally fell 70 meters down a cliff and died on the spot. Emergency rescue teams comprising nine personnel from both Hualien and Taichung fire departments were swiftly dispatched to the site.
Zhu Zheming, captain of the First Brigade of the Hualien County Fire Department, stated that at 4:09 p.m. on the 3rd, the department received a report forwarded from the Taichung Fire Bureau. According to the team leader surnamed Chen, he was leading a group of hikers all from Taichung on a five-day, five-night trek through the northern section of the Central Mountain Range. They were on the third day of their journey and had planned to camp at Wuming Pond Campsite.
However, while traveling the route between Mount Wuming and its western peak, a 49-year-old hiker surnamed Xiao and a 61-year-old hiker surnamed Liang are suspected to have accidentally fallen about 70 meters down an unnamed cliff. Other team members rappelled down into the valley to confirm that both men had suffered severe injuries and showed no signs of life. Their bodies were wrapped and carried to a flat area as the team awaited rescue.
Upon receiving the report, the Hualien County Fire Department immediately applied to the Air Rescue Squadron for aerial assistance. Due to poor weather conditions, helicopters were unable to carry out the rescue mission. Meanwhile, five rescue personnel equipped with ropes and gear were dispatched from the Hsinhsiu branch to enter the mountain for ground rescue. It is estimated that the ground team will need approximately three days to reach the location where help was requested. The cause of the accident remains unclear at this time.
As the accident occurred in a remote mountainous area at the border of Taichung City and Hualien County, the Taichung City Fire Department also deployed four officers simultaneously to approach from the western side. According to data from the Central Weather Bureau, there was fog in the mountainous region but no rain. If conditions permit, a helicopter rescue operation could be launched as early as the morning of the 4th.
(China Times)