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Signs of life found in Block F; rescue efforts on the way

Signs of life found in Block F; rescue efforts on the way

Signs of life found in Block F: reports

Heavy machinery continued to drill around the toppled Weiguan Jinlong building Wednesday, removing debris layer by layer in hope that this will allow rescue workers to find more survivors buried under the rubble.

According to authorities in the morning, rescuers have detected signs of life on the 14th floor of the collapsed Block F apartment (F14), and are just 1.8 meters shy of reaching to the bottom of the debris.

The 6.4 magnitude quake in southern Taiwan last Saturday has so far left 41 people dead, of which the Weiguan building alone accounted for 39 deaths. In total, more than 500 were injured, while 99 people currently remain to be found at the apartment complex.

“Rescuers have picked up tapping noises at the bottom of the F14 rubble, and are working relentlessly to reach the survivor,” Tainan Mayor William Lai told reporters.

Although no survivors have been discovered in the rubble since Monday evening, families hope their missing love ones will be found alive.

“We will not give up hope,” Lai assured.

An investigation into the developer’s practices has begun after three executives of the real estate firm were taken into custody by prosecutors on Tuesday. However, officials declined to answer questions saying current rescue efforts should come first.

“The rescue efforts come first before we can pass any judgment,” he said.