MEA Breakthrough: Engaging with Taiwan’s Nationals

In New Delhi, India has initiated communication with two of its citizens who were unaccounted for following a seismic event in Taiwan, confirming their safety, as disclosed by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday. Randhir Jaiswal, serving as the spokesperson, relayed this update during his weekly press briefing in response to inquiries.

“According to our intelligence, two individuals remained out of reach subsequent to the earthquake occurrence in Taiwan. However, we have now established contact with them, and they are confirmed to be out of harm’s way,” he articulated.

A seismic tremor of unprecedented magnitude jolted Taiwan during the early hours of Wednesday’s rush, claiming the lives of ten individuals, entangling numerous miners, and prompting certain inhabitants to hastily vacate buildings through windows. As of Thursday, rescue operations persisted in pursuit of numerous individuals still unaccounted for in the aftermath of the forceful seismic activity.

The epicenter of the tremor, which resulted in hundreds sustaining injuries, was located off the coastline of the remote and mountainous Hualien County. There, structures exhibited significant tilting, with their lower levels sustaining substantial damage. Roughly 150 kilometers distant, in the capital city of Taipei, architectural elements dislodged from older edifices, compelling educational institutions to relocate students to open fields, ensuring their protection with headgear.

In a separate query, Jaiswal addressed inquiries concerning the repatriation status of the eighth Indian national, who is among the eight former Indian Navy personnel recently released from incarceration in Qatar. Clarifying, the spokesperson stated, “He is currently subject to specific prerequisites. Upon fulfillment of these criteria, his return will be facilitated.”

Following the commutation of their death sentences, which were pronounced in October, the eight previously imprisoned ex-Indian Navy personnel were granted release by Qatar, after a duration of 46 days.