Students and teachers from Taiyuan Junior High School safely return after mountain climb

The group of 20 students and teachers from Taiyuan Junior High School in Taitung, who had gone camping and hiking in Qili Stream in Donghe Township, were unable to be contacted due to heavy rain in the mountains the previous evening and poor communication in the area, causing great concern among parents. Rescue personnel from Taitung entered the mountains on the 1st to search for them. After an aerial reconnaissance by an air force helicopter located the students’ position, rescuers guided them down the mountain. Seeing their children return safely, parents were overjoyed and tearfully repeated, “It’s good that you’re back, just good that you’re back!”

The group included 14 third-year junior high students, 3 teachers, and 3 guides. They entered the mountains early the previous morning from the mouth of Qili Stream and headed upstream to camp at the Big Rock Wall. With guidance from the guides, they observed local flora and fauna along the way. The two-day, one-night trip was scheduled to end with their descent yesterday afternoon. However, the weather suddenly changed the previous evening, bringing heavy rain in the mountains and cutting off contact.

Rescue personnel originally planned to conduct a stream rescue, but the currents were too strong to proceed. They then split into two teams—one descending into the valley from the mountains to reach the campsite, and another searching from the south side of Qili Bridge. By noon, the rainfall had lessened and the stream flow had slowed, allowing rescuers to begin a stream crossing and launch the search operation.

The Taitung Air Rescue Squadron also dispatched a helicopter to the mountainous area, spotted the students, and then guided ground rescuers to locate them.

Accompanied by rescuers, the 20 students, teachers, and guides descended the mountain safely, with only one student suffering a minor ankle twist from an awkward step. Participating students said that the heavy rainfall during the night did cause some worry, and they had planned to stay an extra day in the mountains if the rain continued. Everyone had prepared enough food for three days, so there was no risk of running out of supplies. Fortunately, the weather cleared in the afternoon, allowing them to begin their descent.