ديجيتال فابلت

الوسم: rescue

  • Four Dead as Two Migrant Boats Capsize Off Libya, Red Crescent Reports

    Four Dead as Two Migrant Boats Capsize Off Libya, Red Crescent Reports

    At least four individuals lost their lives after two boats carrying a total of 95 irregular migrants capsized off the coast of Al Khums, Libya, according to the Libyan Red Crescent. The first vessel, which had 26 Bangladeshis aboard, resulted in four fatalities. The second boat, carrying 69 migrants—including two Egyptians and numerous Sudanese—was also involved in the sinking, with their status remaining unknown.

    Khums is a port city situated approximately 118 kilometers east of Tripoli. The International Organization for Migration reported that 42 migrants went missing and are presumed dead after a rubber boat went down near the Al Buri oil field, an offshore facility located to the north-northwest of Libya.

    Libya has increasingly become a transit point for migrants fleeing unrest and economic hardship, seeking passage across the Mediterranean to Europe, especially since the 2011 overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-supported uprising. Images released by the Khums Red Crescent depict a line of bodies wrapped in black plastic bags laid out on the ground, with volunteers providing first aid to survivors. Other photos show migrants wrapped in thermal blankets sitting on the floor.

    The rescue operation involved the Libyan Coast Guard and the Khums Port Security Agency. The bodies were handed over to legal authorities in accordance with directives from the local public prosecutor.

    In October, authorities recovered the bodies of 61 migrants along the coastline west of Tripoli. Earlier in September, the IOM confirmed at least 50 people had died after a vessel with 75 Sudanese refugees caught fire off the Libyan coast. Several countries, including the UK, Spain, Norway, and Sierra Leone, last week urged Libya during a UN meeting in Geneva to shut detention centers where human rights groups report torture, abuse, and sometimes killings of migrants and refugees.

  • Typhoon Fung-wong Causes Floods and Evacuations in Taiwan

    Typhoon Fung-wong Causes Floods and Evacuations in Taiwan

    Ahead of Typhoon Fung-wong’s arrival on Wednesday, more than 8,300 residents in Taiwan were evacuated. The storm, now significantly weakened, brought heavy rains to the mountainous eastern coastline, causing severe flooding stretching in some areas up to waist-high.

    Most businesses and schools in the southern regions of the island shut their doors, with 51 individuals reported injured. Live footage showed extreme flooding in parts of Yilan County, an area predominantly rural, where waters reached neck level, prompting rescue teams—including soldiers—to conduct efforts for stranded residents.

    Fisherman Hung Chun-yi recounted, “The water entered so rapidly.” He spent the night removing mud from his home in Suao, an eastern harbor town, after floodwaters on the first floor reached depths of about two feet. “It rained so intensely and so quickly that the drainage system couldn’t keep up.”

    The fire department reported that about 8,300 people had been relocated to safer areas, mainly within Yilan and the neighboring Hualien regions, as a late-season typhoon and a monsoon from the north exacerbated rainfall. Yilan’s town of Dongshan recorded 794 mm (approximately 31 inches) of rain on Tuesday, according to weather officials.

    Fung-wong is expected to brush past Taiwan’s southern tip later today before moving out into the Pacific Ocean. The storm lost much of its strength after passing through the Philippines, where it claimed 18 lives, and a September typhoon caused similar destructive floods in Hualien, killing 18 people.

  • Turkish Military Cargo Plane Crashes in Georgia, Several Injured

    Turkish Military Cargo Plane Crashes in Georgia, Several Injured

    A Turkish C-130 military cargo aircraft crashed in Georgia after departing from Azerbaijan on Tuesday, leading Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to extend condolences for “our martyrs” as rescue teams headed to the crash site. The Turkish defense ministry confirmed the incident near Georgia’s border with Azerbaijan, stating they are working closely with Georgian authorities to reach the location.

    While giving a speech in Ankara, Erdogan was handed a note by his aides, and afterward, he expressed sadness over the crash. “God willing, we will get through this tragedy with minimal hardship. May God grant rest to our martyrs, and may we honor them through our prayers,” he said.

    Authorities have not disclosed the cause of the crash or the number of casualties. Local media reports indicate that both Turkish and Azerbaijani personnel were on board, but specific figures have not been confirmed.

    Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated he had spoken with his Georgian counterpart, who was en route to the crash site.

  • Seventeen B die in Aegean migrant boat sinking in latest disaster

    Seventeen B die in Aegean migrant boat sinking in latest disaster

    Sixteen migrants and a smuggler drowned after their inflatable boat capsized early Friday in the Aegean Sea near Bodrum, Turkey, according to the coast guard. Two others were rescued alive. The authorities have not disclosed the victims’ nationalities. The incident marks the latest tragedy among a series of migrant deaths along the narrow but dangerous route between the Turkish coast and Greek islands such as Samos, Rhodes, and Lesbos, which serve as entry points into Europe.

    “The bodies of 16 illegal migrants and a trafficker have been recovered,” the coast guard reported, noting that rescue operations are ongoing. Earlier, the local governor’s office had reported 14 migrant deaths and stated on social media that one migrant had managed to alert rescue teams.

    One of the survivors, an Afghan, told rescuers that their boat sank just ten minutes after it started taking on water. He said he swam for six hours to reach Celebi Island. Authorities have not confirmed the nationalities of the other migrants. Bodrum is located less than three miles from the Greek island of Kos.

    Search and rescue efforts are continuing with four coast guard vessels, a specialized diving team, and a helicopter involved. The Aegean Sea is a common transit route for thousands of migrants fleeing North Africa and the Middle East, especially from Turkey—home to millions of refugees from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

    In 2019, Turkey’s migration authorities recorded nearly 455,000 irregular crossings, mostly from Afghanistan and Syria. According to the Missing Migrants Project run by the International Organization for Migration (IOM), almost 1,400 migrants have died trying to reach Europe by sea this year. Turkey, which signed an agreement with the European Union in 2016 to curb illegal migration, currently hosts more than 2.5 million refugees, predominantly Syrians.

  • Tragic Uganda Bus Crash Claims 63 Lives

    Tragic Uganda Bus Crash Claims 63 Lives

    A collision involving two buses on one of Uganda’s busiest highways resulted in at least 63 fatalities, according to police reports on Wednesday. The incident occurred shortly after midnight along the stretch connecting Kampala, the capital, to the northern city of Gulu.

    Preliminary findings indicate that the crash was caused when two buses traveling from opposite directions attempted to overtake other vehicles—a truck and an SUV. During the maneuver, both buses collided head-on, leading to devastating consequences.

    The accident claimed 63 lives, with all victims being occupants of the vehicles involved. Emergency responders are working tirelessly to recover the injured and retrieve those who did not survive from the wreckage.

  • 64 Dead, 65 Missing as Floods Devastate Central and Eastern Mexico

    64 Dead, 65 Missing as Floods Devastate Central and Eastern Mexico

    Floodwaters submerge open fields scattered with trees across Veracruz, one of the most affected regions after several days of heavy rainfall and severe flooding. —AFP

    – Small towns remain isolated; residents are clearing roads to enable aid delivery.
    – Emergency shelters have been opened for those displaced, with helicopters ferrying food and water to stranded communities.
    – Intense rains have caused landslides, destroying entire neighborhoods and washing away infrastructure.

    Rescue teams are working tirelessly Monday to reach individuals trapped by the catastrophic floods that have resulted in 64 deaths in central and eastern Mexico, with 65 people missing. Heavy rains over last week transformed streets into raging rivers, triggered landslides, and washed out roads and bridges.

    Many small communities are still cut off by road, days after the storms, with residents making great efforts to clear pathways for supplies. President Claudia Sheinbaum announced Monday that about 10,000 military personnel equipped with boats, aircraft, and helicopters are involved in rescue and relief operations, providing critical food and water supplies to those affected.

    Shelters are in place for displaced residents, and aerial flights continue to deliver essentials to those cut off. “Multiple flights are necessary to get enough food and water to everyone,” the president stated.

    Laura Velázquez, head of Mexico’s Civil Defense, reported that Veracruz, Hidalgo, and Puebla were the hardest hit by the flooding caused by relentless heavy rains. In Hidalgo alone, 43 individuals remain missing, and the death toll was updated from 47 to a higher number within just 12 hours, underscoring the rapidly evolving scale of the crisis.

    This year has seen particularly intense rainfall in Mexico, including a record amount for Mexico City.

    Residents in Tenango de Doria, Hidalgo, walked kilometers in search of food and water as flooded roads and inaccessible terrain hinder transportation. Many carried belongings, hoping to find shelter. Marco Mendoza, a 35-year-old farmer, shared, “We walked two and a half hours through the mud… Everything is ruined; we have no supplies or food.” Stores in the town center lacked electricity, and locals gathered in the main plaza, seeking updates on road openings and aid arrivals.

    Farmer Francisco Hernandez from nearby El Texme explained that a river overflowing its banks has left his community “trapped.” Although Mexico’s rainy season typically occurs from May to October, last week’s downpour was exacerbated by a tropical system moving from the Gulf of Mexico combined with a cold front from the north, meteorologists said.

    Due to rising waters, coastal cities and towns in Veracruz, rich with numerous rivers, were advised to evacuate last Friday. In some elevated areas, persistent rains caused landslides, sweeping away parts of mountainsides.

    Sheinbaum dismissed questions regarding early warnings and preparedness, noting that such events are challenging to predict with precision unlike hurricanes. “It was difficult to have advance notice about this situation because of the unpredictable nature of the weather,” she explained.

    Many areas began clearing debris with heavy machinery on Sunday as skies cleared.

  • Six Dead After Major Earthquake Rocks Southern Philippines

    Six Dead After Major Earthquake Rocks Southern Philippines

    A powerful 7.4 magnitude quake struck off the southern coast of the Philippines on Friday, resulting in a minimum of six fatalities and prompting tsunami alerts that were eventually canceled. The earthquake occurred approximately 12 miles (20 km) offshore near Manay town in Mindanao at 9:43 a.m., according to the US Geological Survey. Just over a week prior, a magnitude-6.9 quake in Cebu province caused 75 deaths and injured over 1,200.

    Rescue teams are working tirelessly to access isolated mountainous regions affected by the tremor. In the mountains west of Manay, three miners trapped in tunnels when the shafts collapsed have been confirmed dead; one miner was rescued alive, and several others sustained injuries. Rescue efforts are concentrated in Gumayan, a remote area only reachable by dirt bikes. In Mati city, the nearest major urban center to the epicenter, one person died due to a collapsing wall, and another died from a heart attack. Davao city, over 60 miles (100 km) away, also reported a fatality, though details remain unclear.

    In the immediate aftermath, Philippine authorities issued a tsunami warning, evacuating residents along the eastern coast where waves up to three meters (roughly ten feet) were feared. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center canceled the alert around midday, confirming that the threat had subsided.

    Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with people fleeing in panic from government buildings, schools, and malls—all caught on social media videos. Some footage shared online was misleading, showing images of buildings damaged before the quake occurred. Overall, the tremors caused limited damage, with more than 100 aftershocks recorded—some as strong as magnitude 5.0. Power and communication disruptions have hampered damage assessments, prompting the suspension of classes and the dismissal of non-essential government staff.

    Schoolteacher Christine Sierte recounted that she was in an online meeting when the shaking intensified, making it impossible to exit the building right away. She noted some office ceilings fell but no injuries were reported, though some students experienced panic attacks and breathing difficulties. Earthquakes are a common occurrence in the Philippines, situated on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for intense seismic activity stretching from Japan through Southeast Asia across the Pacific. In 1976, an 8.0 magnitude quake off Mindanao triggered a tsunami that caused approximately 8,000 deaths or missing persons—the worst natural disaster in the country’s history.

  • Northern India landslide claims 15+ bus lives

    Northern India landslide claims 15+ bus lives

    On Tuesday, authorities confirmed that at least 15 individuals lost their lives when a landslide caused by heavy rains struck a passenger bus in Himachal Pradesh, northern India. Rescue teams and local villagers at the scene are working tirelessly, excavating through large boulders and piles of earth in search of survivors. The accident occurred overnight in Bilaspur, approximately 60 miles (100 kilometers) from Shimla, the capital of the scenic Himalayan state.

    The local government issued a statement confirming the death toll and conveyed that three children have been rescued alive and are receiving medical treatment at a nearby hospital. Rescue efforts are still underway. This incident adds to the growing list of calamities in India this monsoon season, which has already seen numerous flash floods and landslides resulting in dozens of fatalities.

    Monsoon rains, spanning from June to September, provide relief from the summer heat and are vital for agriculture in the region. However, they also often lead to destruction, particularly in the fragile Himalayan ecosystems where experts warn that extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and severe.

    Last week, intense rains triggered deadly landslides and floods in northeastern India’s Darjeeling district, destroying key tea plantations and resulting in at least 36 fatalities. The floods devastated about five percent of the district’s famous tea gardens and caused extensive damage to roads and over 500 homes. Many residents and tourists sought shelter, awaiting rescue or for water levels to recede from major roads.

  • Nearly 1,000 Stranded on Tibet’s Mount Everest Amid Blizzard

    Nearly 1,000 Stranded on Tibet’s Mount Everest Amid Blizzard

    A man carries a bag as he navigates through a flooded street along the banks of the overflowing Bagmati River after heavy rains, in Kathmandu, Nepal, October 4, 2025. — Reuters

    Rescue operations are ongoing on Sunday to reopen access to campsites on Tibet’s eastern slope of Mount Everest, where nearly 1,000 people remain stranded due to a snowstorm that has blocked roads, according to Chinese state media.

    Local villagers and rescue teams have been dispatched to clear the snow from the area, which sits at an altitude exceeding 4,900 meters (16,000 feet), as reported by Jimu News. Some tourists on the mountain have already been evacuated.

    The snow began falling on Friday evening and continued through Saturday, with authorities suspending ticket sales and entry to the Everest Scenic Area from late Saturday, as per notices on the official WeChat accounts of Tingri County’s Tourism Department.

    Just across the border in Nepal, intense rains have caused landslides and flash floods, damaging roads, destroying bridges, and resulting in at least 47 fatalities since Friday, police said.

    In the eastern Ilam district bordering India, 35 people lost their lives in separate landslides. Additionally, nine individuals are reported missing after being swept away by floodwaters, and three others died due to lightning strikes elsewhere in the country.

  • Heavy Rains in Nepal Claim 22 Lives, Block Major Roads

    Heavy Rains in Nepal Claim 22 Lives, Block Major Roads

    Heavy rainfall has caused landslides and flash floods in Nepal, leading to blocked roads, destroyed bridges, and the deaths of at least 22 people over the past 36 hours, officials reported Sunday.

    Police spokesperson Binod Ghimire stated that 18 individuals lost their lives in separate landslides in Ilam district, located in eastern Nepal bordering India. Additionally, three people were killed by lightning strikes in southern Nepal, and one person died in floods in Udayapur district, also in the east.

    Authorities confirmed that 11 people have been swept away by floodwaters and remain missing since Saturday. Rescue workers are actively searching for them, according to Shanti Mahat, a spokesperson for the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA).

    Numerous highways have been rendered impassable due to landslides and flooding, trapping hundreds of travelers. Domestic flights have been significantly disrupted, though international flights continue operating normally, said Rinji Sherpa, spokesperson for Kathmandu airport.

    In southeastern Nepal, the Koshi River—known to cause frequent severe floods in the neighboring Indian state of Bihar—has risen above hazardous levels, a local official reported. Dharmendra Kumar Mishra, district governor of Sunsari, explained that water levels in the river are more than twice their usual amount. All 56 sluice gates of the Koshi Barrage have been opened to drain excess water, compared to the normal 10 to 12 gates, and authorities are considering restricting heavy vehicles on the bridge.

    In Kathmandu, a city surrounded by hills, several rivers have flooded streets and inundated numerous homes, effectively isolating the capital from the rest of the country by road. Landslides and flash floods are common during Nepal’s monsoon season, which usually spans from mid-June to mid-September, claiming hundreds of lives each year.

    Meteorologists forecast continued heavy rains in the Himalayan nation through Monday. Officials emphasize that they are exercising maximum caution and are taking steps to assist those affected by the ongoing natural disasters.

  • Casualties from Indonesian School Collapse Increase to 37

    Casualties from Indonesian School Collapse Increase to 37

    The death toll from the Indonesian school collapse increased to 37 on Sunday, with rescue teams recovering additional victims trapped beneath the debris. The incident occurred when part of a multi-story building on Java Island suddenly collapsed Monday during afternoon prayers, trapping students inside.

    As of Sunday morning, authorities reported rescuers had pulled out 141 individuals; 104 of these were in stable condition, while 37 victims had died. Authorities also stated that 26 people remain missing. The confirmed fatalities include a body fragment recovered from the wreckage on Saturday.

    Nanang Sigit, head of the local search and rescue unit, verified the death toll at 37 in a separate statement. Investigators are examining the cause of the collapse, with early indications suggesting poor construction quality may have played a role. The rescue efforts proved complex due to vibrations from ongoing operations affecting different parts of the site.

    Families of the missing agreed on Thursday to allow heavy machinery to be used, after the critical 72-hour window for potential survivors had passed.

  • Philippines concludes quake rescue; shifts focus to aiding 20,000 displaced

    Philippines concludes quake rescue; shifts focus to aiding 20,000 displaced

    Residents impacted by the 6.9-magnitude earthquake wait along the roadside for assistance in Bogo, Cebu, Philippines, October 2, 2025. — Reuters

    Philippine officials announced on Thursday that search and rescue efforts in the affected Cebu province have concluded. The current death count of 72 is unlikely to rise significantly, and all missing persons have been accounted for. The focus has shifted to providing aid and support to survivors of the quake, which has become the deadliest in over ten years.

    The quake struck offshore waters near Cebu’s central island late Tuesday, displacing more than 20,000 people and injuring over 300. On Thursday, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Bogo, a city of approximately 90,000 and the hardest-hit area. He reassured evacuees and acknowledged that relief operations are complicated by extensive infrastructure damage.

    “We’re facing difficulties because we don’t have suitable places to temporarily house displaced families, as we’re unsure about the stability of the evacuation centers,” he explained to reporters. “We will ensure the availability of food, water, and electricity—possibly using generators if necessary. Whatever is needed, we will provide it.”

    Many casualties resulted from buildings and homes collapsing during the quake or landslides triggered afterward. Heavy rain and power outages have further hampered rescue efforts.

    Located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a path marked by frequent volcanic activity and earthquakes stretching from South America to the Russian Far East, the Philippines endures over 800 quakes annually.

  • Two Somali women drown; 60 rescued after Channel crossing fails

    Two Somali women drown; 60 rescued after Channel crossing fails

    A group of migrants on an inflatable dinghy departs from the northern coast of France, attempting to cross the English Channel to reach Britain. This scene was captured on the beach of Petit-Fort-Philippe in Gravelines, near Calais, on August 25, 2025, according to Reuters.

    French authorities reported that two women, both from Somalia, died Saturday while trying to cross the Channel. Additionally, the body of another migrant was found in a canal. Around 100 people were aboard an overloaded boat off Neufchatel-Hardelot early Saturday morning around 3:15 a.m. (0115 GMT), when they made an attempt to reach the UK. The boat’s engine failed to start, and it returned to shore about an hour later, as stated by the local prefecture.

    Civil protection teams managed to rescue and care for 60 migrants, though some who had been on the vessel fled once rescue crews arrived, said Isabelle Fradin-Thirode, an official from nearby Montreuil-sur-Mer. A couple and their child, suffering from moderate hypothermia, were rushed to a hospital in Boulogne.

    The body of a man in his late 20s or early 30s was recovered from a canal in Gravelines, near Dunkirk, according to the prefecture and AFP journalists present at the scene. These incidents have increased the death toll for Channel crossings to at least 26 this year, based on official data compiled by AFP. Since January, a record 32,000 migrants have arrived in Britain via small boats crossing the Channel.

    A recent Franco-British agreement allows the UK to return migrants to France if they are considered ineligible for asylum, including those who have passed through a “safe country” before reaching UK shores. In exchange, London has committed to accepting an equivalent number of migrants from France whose asylum claims are likely to be approved. Despite this deal, the dangerous crossing continues to attract many migrants.

    On Friday, an AFP team in the Gravelines area observed hundreds of migrants preparing to cross whenever weather conditions permitted. Earlier this week, reporters spoke with several migrants at a makeshift camp near Dunkirk, many of whom expressed that they had already endured significant hardships and faced considerable dangers to get so close to their goal. One migrant remarked that crossing the channel in a small boat “is uncertain — you might not survive,” but added, “That’s okay, we still have to try our luck.”

  • Philippines Toll Hits 11 as Storm Bualoi Heads for Vietnam

    Philippines Toll Hits 11 as Storm Bualoi Heads for Vietnam

    The death toll from Severe Tropical Storm Bualoi increased to 11 in the Philippines on Saturday as the storm approached Vietnam, officials reported. Bualoi impacted small islands in central Philippines on Friday, knocking down trees and power lines, tearing off roofs, causing flooding, and prompting evacuations for 400,000 residents.

    The smallest island of Biliran was among the hardest hit, with eight fatalities and two individuals listed as missing, according to provincial disaster management official Noel Lungay. He added, “Widespread flooding occurred, and some roads remained submerged early today. People are beginning to return home as weather conditions improve.”

    Earlier reports from Manila’s civil defense agency indicated three additional deaths on the neighboring islands of Masbate and Ticao, including two individuals who were crushed by fallen trees and walls caused by strong winds. Overall, 14 people remain missing across central Philippines, with no further details provided, and over 200,000 people continue to stay in evacuation centers.

    Bualoi followed Super Typhoon Ragasa, which previously caused 14 fatalities across northern Philippines. As of Saturday, Bualoi was moving across the South China Sea at typhoon strength speeds of 75 miles per hour (120 km/h), according to the Philippine weather service. It was expected to be off the coast of central Vietnam by Sunday afternoon.

    The Philippines experiences roughly 20 storms and typhoons annually, affecting disaster-prone regions where millions live in poverty. Experts warn that climate change is likely increasing the intensity of these storms.

    Meanwhile, public outrage in the Philippines is escalating over a corruption scandal involving fake flood-control projects believed to have cost taxpayers billions. Thousands took to the streets on Sunday to demonstrate, with peaceful protests turning chaotic as police vehicles were set ablaze and police station windows were shattered.

  • 400,000 Evacuated, 3 Dead Amid New Storm After Super Typhoon Ragasa Hits Philippines

    400,000 Evacuated, 3 Dead Amid New Storm After Super Typhoon Ragasa Hits Philippines

    A severe tropical storm battered the Philippines on Friday, prompting the evacuation of nearly 400,000 residents and resulting in at least three fatalities. The country continues to face the ongoing impact of Super Typhoon Ragasa. In the southern Luzon Bicol region, officials reported three deaths caused by collapsing walls and uprooted trees as Storm Bualoi moved northwest at sustained speeds of 110 km/h.

    During the storm, an evacuee took shelter under pews in a church after the roof was ripped off. “Around 4 a.m., the wind tore through the church’s door, windows, and roof,” said Jerome Martinez, a municipal engineer from Masbate province. He described it as one of the strongest winds he’s ever experienced, noting some children sustained minor injuries requiring stitches.

    Many homes were destroyed or had their roofs blown away, leading to more evacuations as roads became blocked by fallen trees and debris. Bernardo Alejandro, a civil defense official, stated that evacuation orders have been issued to about 400,000 people. Rescuers in Masbate reported clearing large trees and damaged electric poles to make roads passable. “The rain was heavy, but the wind was even stronger,” an AFP correspondent quoted. Social media videos show people navigating flooded streets by boat or wading through water waist-deep in the central islands of Visayas.

    The Philippines experiences roughly 20 storms and typhoons annually, which frequently maintain or worsen levels of poverty in disaster-prone areas. Climate scientists warn that global warming is increasing storm intensity. Authorities warned of a high risk of life-threatening storm surge of up to three meters (10 feet). Meanwhile, the population still dealing with the aftermath of Ragasa is displaced, with at least nine dead earlier this week after the typhoon struck the northern regions.

    Public frustration is mounting over a scandal involving fraudulent flood-control projects believed to have cost billions of dollars, adding to a climate of distrust and anger toward government agencies.

    In Taiwan, rescue teams combed through mud on Friday for 11 individuals reported missing after Super Typhoon Ragasa caused floods earlier this week. The flood death toll remained at 14. Heavy rains caused a barrier lake to overflow in Hualien County, releasing sludge that covered large parts of the area, complicating ongoing rescue efforts. Rescuers sometimes had to wade in mud up to their waists, cutting holes in building roofs to search for missing people.

    One man, Hwang, is still searching for his sister’s body after she was unable to escape her house filled with mud. Many fatalities occurred on the ground floors of homes, especially among the elderly, who couldn’t evacuate upstairs as instructed.

    88-year-old Huang Ju-hsing remains trapped in his home after floodwaters blocked access to his family’s grocery store on the ground level. His wife described how they urged him to move upstairs, which he managed to do, demonstrating the courage sparked by emergency situations.

    Hualien, known for its natural beauty and tourism appeal, is rural and sparsely populated. The unresolved issue of the barrier lake, formed by earlier typhoons, persists—though it has shrunk to a fraction of its original size. The government has ruled out using explosives to breach the dam, fearing it could trigger landslides and worsen the situation. Despite the flooding, Taiwan’s vital semiconductor industry on the island’s west coast remains unaffected.

  • Flood Fears Rise as Typhoon Ragasa Kills 14 in Taiwan, Evacuees Stay Alarmed

    Flood Fears Rise as Typhoon Ragasa Kills 14 in Taiwan, Evacuees Stay Alarmed

    Rescue teams mobilized across Taiwan continue their efforts in Hualien, where flash floods caused by Super Typhoon Ragasa have resulted in at least 14 fatalities. Many residents in Guangfu, a scenic tourist spot in Hualien, sought refuge in shelters on Wednesday amid fears of additional flooding after a barrier lake burst its banks, flooding the area with a wall of water. The lake, formed by landslides from previous heavy rains in the less-populated eastern part of the island, inundated Guangfu, prompting urgent evacuations.

    Authorities are actively searching for the 129 individuals reported missing, with the number later rising to 152. Premier Cho Jung-tai emphasized the need to investigate why evacuation procedures in designated zones were not fully executed, clarifying that the focus is on uncovering facts rather than assigning blame.

    As rain persisted intermittently, police issued new flood alerts, urging residents to move to higher ground. Many, including a woman named Tsai at an emergency shelter in a local school, opted not to return home until the risk subsides. Deputy Disaster Response Chief Huang Chao-chin assured that with rainfall easing and most of the lake’s water already released, the likelihood of a repeat severe flood has diminished.

    Local officials noted that pre-flood evacuation recommendations were voluntary, and that vertical evacuation alone couldn’t fully address the situation. While Taiwan generally has robust disaster management systems due to its frequent typhoon activity, this recent event exposed some gaps in warning and preparedness, especially in Guangfu.

    Guangfu’s residents describe the floodwaters hitting like a “tsunami,” with some escaping just in time. Fire authorities confirmed that all the dead and missing are from Guangfu, where a major bridge over a river was destroyed. The military has dispatched 340 troops to assist with rescue operations, with soldiers using armored vehicles to navigate muddy streets, distributing supplies and helping residents.

    Approximately 60% of Guangfu’s population, about 5,200 people, took refuge upstairs in their homes, while most others stayed with family members. The lake’s overflow released an estimated 60 million tons of water, roughly filling 36,000 Olympic-sized swimming pools. In a show of diplomatic goodwill, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office extended condolences, challenging their usual stance of non-interference and acknowledgement of the crisis.

    Hualien is renowned for its natural beauty and indigenous communities, including the Amis, which are impacted by the destruction. The storm brought roughly 28 inches of rainfall to Taiwan’s east coast but spared the western regions, home to vital semiconductor manufacturing. The island remembers the devastation caused in 2009 by Typhoon Morakot, which claimed around 700 lives and caused billions in damages.

  • How to Rescue All Crew in the Mithra Shipwreck by Completing and Solving in Dune: Awakening

    How to Rescue All Crew in the Mithra Shipwreck by Completing and Solving in Dune: Awakening

    The Lost Within quest for the Lost Harvest DLC in Dune: Awakening can be tough. Unlike other missions from the DLC, this one requires more effort. You need to locate and rescue three crew members trapped in a shipwreck called the Mithra.

    The problem with this quest is that the Mithra isn’t as easy to navigate as other ships on Arrakis. Plus, you’ll have to do some backtracking, which might make the task more challenging. Finishing the Lost Within mission is important if you’re aiming to complete everything in the DLC.

    How to start the Lost Within quest

    This mission is part of the Fall of the Mithra quest chain. Since it’s included in the DLC, you need to purchase either the season pass or the DLC itself to access it. Once you have it, the mission will automatically start when you launch the game.

    If the quest doesn’t show up, even if you own the DLC, make sure you’ve finished the Moving On mission first.

    For this mission, you’ll be asked to investigate a distress call. This is located northwest of Griffin’s Reach Tradepost. When you arrive, you’ll see the Mithra shipwreck between some rocky formations. The wreck has two parts.

    By following the compass at the top of your screen, you’ll be led to a burrow underneath the Mithra. This will take you to a small camp of survivors. Lieutenant Drangh will be there, in the back of the camp.

    Talking to Drangh, she will ask you to find some nearby items. The task is straightforward: go to a few specific locations, fight a couple of enemies, and gather resources. After collecting everything and returning the items to Drangh, two more NPCs will become available: Quartermaster Hix and Chief Hanso. For now, you’ll need to talk to Chief Hanso.

    This is the last contract offered by Chief Hanso. You first need to find tags of fallen crew members nearby, then investigate their communication device. Once you do that, the Lost Within quest will open up again when you return to Hanso. You must locate three survivors to finish the quest chain.

    How to complete the Lost Within quest

    Inside the Mithra, you’ll start in a short hallway that turns right at the end. Head out into a large room. In the center, there’s a pathway leading over a big obstacle. Follow the path to reach the other side.

    Proceed up the pathway to a different area. On the opposite side, you’ll find an entrance to another hallway. Walk straight ahead to a small nook with crates in front. The first survivor is sitting in that area. When you talk to him, he will eventually leave the ship.

    Help him, then grab the ID band from his left wrist. Moving on, turn around and go back to the main room. Instead of heading forward, immediately turn left and go down towards the wall on the far side.

    At the wall, there’s a climbable ledge on the left. Climb up, and you’ll find a door with a pentashield. Using the second ID band, you can pass through this shield to reach the next area.

    In this new room, move to the back corner on the northwest side. The second survivor will be sitting next to some crates. Talk to him and take the second ID band afterward.

    For the final survivor, return to the area where the first crew member was. Look left of that nook, past the first survivor’s spot. There’s another hallway there.

    Head down that hallway, then turn right once you reach the other side. You’ll see a door protected by another pentashield. Use the second ID band to get through.

    Behind this door, go to the room’s back. The third survivor will be lying on a crate. Talk to him to complete that part of the quest.

    Once you’ve spoken to all three survivors, you can exit the Mithra using the same entry method. After you leave, return to Chief Hanso to fully finish the quest.