A Scot in Taiwan has told how he felt the “floor and building wobble” as the country experienced its worst earthquake in 25 years.
The quake has killed nine people, left dozens trapped and injured hundreds.
Centred off the coast of the rural, mountainous Hualien County, some buildings leaned at severe angles, their ground floors crushed after the disaster.
Kevin Moors, who is from Huntly, in Aberdeenshire, is currently in Taichung working as a mechanical technician for James Fisher Offshore.
The 46-year-old, who has only been in Taiwan for three days, was in the middle of a morning meeting when the building started “wobbling” – and there was an evacuation order.
STV News“Everyone’s phones went off, a loud siren, then one second later, that’s when it hit”, he told STV News.
“You’re sitting thinking, what just happened? Then the floors started wobbling, then the entire building is wobbling, and it just immediately got worse.
“Then all the locals said, right we need to get outside. That’s when they realised it was a bigger earthquake than expected.
“We all went outside, and all the cars in the carpark are shaking, all the forklifts.
“You don’t have a second to respond to anything. It’s the most surreal thing I’ve ever felt.”
The quake, which the US Geological Survey (USGS) put at 7.4 magnitude, caused 24 landslides and damage to 35 roads, bridges and tunnels.
Taiwan’s national fire agency said nine people died in the quake, which struck just before 8am. The local United Daily News reported three hikers died in rockslides in Taroko National Park and a van driver died in the same area after boulders hit the vehicle.
Another 934 people were injured. Meanwhile, authorities said they had lost contact with 50 people in minibuses in the national park after the quake downed phone networks.
Some 70 workers who were stranded at two rock quarries were safe, according to the fire agency, but the roads to reach them had been damaged by falling rocks. Six workers were going to be airlifted on Thursday.
Mr Moors has since spoken to his two sons, Dylan and Jason, to confirm his safety, and said his “heart goes out” to all who are affected the disaster.
“It does shake you up”, he added.
“All the locals were saying it’s the worst earthquake they’ve had in 25 years. They were all apprehensive with the outcome.
“My heart goes out to everyone on the east coast. It’s devastating.”
He won’t be able to return back to Scotland just yet – he has been asked to stay a bit longer on the job.
He said: “I was meant to be home this weekend, but I’ve been asked to stay a lot longer.
“You’re a bit apprehensive of course, but that’s natural.”
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