Rapid Rescue in Taiwan: Foreign Nationals Located After Hiking Mishap in Taitung

A daring rescue operation unfolds in Taitung County, Taiwan, as emergency services locate and assist three foreign nationals involved in a rappelling incident.

Emergency services in Taiwan's Taitung County responded swiftly to a distress call on the afternoon of July 23rd, concerning three foreign nationals who went missing during a rappelling activity in the Yanping Forest Trail.

The Guanshan Brigade of the Taitung County Fire Department received the report and immediately initiated search and rescue operations, utilizing air support from a National Airborne Service Corps helicopter for aerial reconnaissance. The search teams successfully located the three individuals in the mountainous terrain by the evening.

By 6 PM, rescue teams successfully hoisted one Australian woman to safety. Due to unfavorable weather conditions and the injuries sustained by the remaining individuals, the rescue operation for the two remaining men was scheduled to resume early the following morning, pending helicopter availability.

According to the Guanshan Brigade, the two men awaiting rescue are from Australia and the Netherlands. One of the individuals had suffered an injury from a fall and was unable to move independently, while his companion remained to provide assistance. Rescue teams planned to request the National Airborne Service Corps helicopter again in the morning to perform the hoist based on the prevailing weather conditions.

The group of three, comprising individuals from Australia and the Netherlands, had been engaging in rappelling activities on the Yanping Forest Trail. The group was carrying a PLB (Personal Locator Beacon) but did not have any communication devices. The rescue operation was initiated when the PLB emitted a distress signal on the previous day, prompting a call for help from family members in Australia. Responding to the call, the fire department mobilized eight rescuers and dispatched the helicopter, quickly locating the missing group and beginning the rescue efforts.