The Emergency Medical Response Process During the 2024 Earthquake in Taiwan

Summary: On the morning of April 3, 2024, at 7:58 AM, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck off the coast of Hualien, Taiwan. It caused seismic intensities of 6 on the Richter scale near the epicenter. Several buildings in downtown Hualien were tilted and damaged. The roads within Taroko National Park were severely damaged, resulting in traffic disruptions. Casualties were reported on the roads and at various tourist sites. A hotel was isolated due to road blockages, trapping around 600 people. On the first day, rescue and emergency medical response focused on Hualien City. All four hospitals in the city activated mass casualty protocols. The Urban Search and Rescue Team carried out search and rescue operations at the severely damaged “Uranus Building.” The Hualien County Health Bureau also deployed a disaster medical team’s advanced group to the site to gather information and perform medical tasks. After retrieving the body that had perished in the Uranus Building and confirming that all other buildings had been cleared, the search and rescue operations concluded on the first day. On the second day, the focus shifted to evacuating the 600 people trapped at the Silks Place Taroko Hotel. The rescue teams set up a base camp at the road’s maintenance public works station, and the National Airborne Service Corps helicopters airlifted the rescue teams near the hotel. After arriving at the hotel, they cooperated with the hotel staff to establish a command post. After evaluating the medical needs and risks, those requiring medical attention and vulnerable groups were prioritized for helicopter evacuation. A total of eight helicopter trips were carried out, evacuating 145 people. This article will describe the situations and response measures encountered by the medical sector, particularly focusing on the assessment of medical needs and the support methods in isolated areas.