Report: Two Malaysians injured in Taiwan earthquake (updated)

In this photo released by Taroko National Park, an injured Malaysian tourist, in red, is assisted by rescue workers at the Taroko National Park in Hualien in eastern Taiwan Thursday, April 18, 2019. A strong earthquake rattled eastern Taiwan early Thursday afternoon, causing scattered light damage in the capital and the eastern coast region. (Taroko National Park via AP)

PETALING JAYA: Two Malaysians were injured in a rockfall at Taiwan’s Taroko National Park after a 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck the coastal city of Hualien on Thursday (April 18).

Quoting several Taiwanese media, China Press reported that the two tourists were hit by the falling rocks due to the quake.

The female tourist injured her head, hit by falling rocks, and the lower body of a male tourist was trapped under the rubble at the Lushui Trail of the national park.

Taiwan police have confirmed both injured tourists are Malaysians.

The local Fire Department will be deploying stone crusher machine and generator to the mountain areas.

According to the reports, due to the earthquake, the Lushui Trail in the national park has collapsed.

It was reported that the quake struck at about 1pm local time in eastern Hualien, at a depth of about 19km.

A weather bureau official said it is the largest quake to hit the island so far this year. 

Earlier, AFP reported that the US Geological Survey said traffic was disrupted and 17 people were injured.