A couple rescued from a building toppled by the Hualien earthquake are worried about the fate of their Filipina carer, who has not been seen since the tremor hit Taiwan’s east coast late on Wednesday night.
The Filipina, identified only as Melody, was living with a 68-year-old Japanese man surnamed Okubo and his 63-year-old Taiwanese wife on the seventh floor of the Yun Men Tsui Ti residential complex, which housed apartments, a restaurant, shops and a hostel.
Philippine officials said Melody was caring for Mr Okubo, who had suffered a stroke. His wife said he was sleeping when the earthquake hit the building shortly before midnight, pushing it on an angle.
The couple were rescued separately and reunited at Mennonite Christian Hospital, The Liberty Times reported. It was their second escape: they were also caught up in the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Tohoku, northwest Japan, which killed more than 15,000 people.
The Okubos said they would not be able to rest until there was news on the welfare of Melody. She is one of dozens believed to be still trapped in the building, which is leaning at a 45-degree angle.
More than 50 people are missing from the magnitude 6.4 earthquake. City authorities said 10 people were known to have been killed and 265 had suffered injuries.
GOD bless! Hoping and praying for their safety!!
Hoping shes still alive and rescued..please find her maybe she trapped