A 35-year-old man surnamed Lian from Keelung went hiking in Jiufen, New Taipei City, two days ago and has been missing for four days. Police and firefighters have launched a search operation involving both officers and local residents, with plans to conduct a full-scale mountain search tomorrow.
New Taipei City police and fire department officials stated that this afternoon, the Jiufen Fire Station received a report from the public about a 35-year-old man surnamed Lian from Keelung who entered the mountains for a hike at the 18-kilometer mark of County Highway 102 on June 2 but has not returned home since. His family and friends, worried about his safety, reported him as missing to assist in the search.
Deputy Chief Huang Ming-hui of the Jinguashi Police Precinct under the Ruifang Police Bureau, along with Patrol Sergeant Wu Jieyuan, Police Officer Weng Huihuang, local residents, members of the Jiufen Fire Station, and volunteer firefighters—approximately 25 people in total—headed to the Banping Mountain area for the search after being notified. By nearly 9 p.m. today, the man had still not been found.
The motorcycle belonging to the missing Mr. Lian, who has been out of contact for four days, was found at the 18-kilometer mark of County Highway 102, but he himself has seemingly vanished without a trace. The Jiufen Fire Station indicated that nighttime searches are difficult, and they plan to regroup and resume searching tomorrow morning.
The Mountain Rescue Team of the New Taipei City Volunteer Fire Department has just completed mountain rescue training in another county and will also head to Jiufen tomorrow to assist in the search. A photography club has also mobilized to go to the site tomorrow, planning to use telephoto lenses to help look for the missing man. Additionally, other civilian rescue organizations hope to utilize multi-rotor aerial photography systems to aid in the search. 1030606
(CNA)