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MINDEF offers assistance to Taiwan

SINGAPORE — Singapore's Ministry of Defence has extended an offer of help to assist Taiwanese authorities in rescuing those trapped by the earthquake that struck southern Taiwan this morning, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post today (Feb 6).

Rescue workers remove a baby from the site where a 17-storey apartment building collapsed after an earthquake hit Tainan, Feb 6, 2016. Photo: Reuters

Rescue workers remove a baby from the site where a 17-storey apartment building collapsed after an earthquake hit Tainan, Feb 6, 2016. Photo: Reuters

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SINGAPORE — Singapore's Ministry of Defence has extended an offer of help to assist Taiwanese authorities in rescuing those trapped by the earthquake that struck southern Taiwan this morning, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post today (Feb 6).

 

Dr Ng's comments after Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan said that Singapore would contact the authorities in Taiwan.

In a Facebook post, Dr Balakrishan said the Singapore government was saddened by the news of the disaster, adding: "We send our deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones in the earthquake. The Singapore government will be contacting the Taiwanese authorities to offer our assistance in the rescue efforts."

 

In a separate Facebook post, Home Affairs and Law Minister K Shanmugam wrote: "We have offered to send our SCDF Lionheart contingent to assist with rescue efforts, and they are on stand-by should the Taiwanese authorities need our assistance."

"Praying for the safety of all in Tainan especially during this period of the Lunar New Year," he added.

 

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also expressed his sadness over the loss of lives in the earthquake on his Facebook page: "My thoughts are with the affected families. It must be especially difficult with the New Year approaching and everyone looking forward to the celebrations."

All registered Singaporeans in Tainan and Kaohsiung are safe, the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei confirmed. It released the following statement:

“As of this evening, we have contacted all the registered Singaporeans in Tainan and Kaohsiung, and they are safe.  The Singapore Trade Office will continue to monitor the situation closely, and would like to advise Singaporeans in the affected areas to remain calm and exercise vigilance as there could be aftershocks.  They should follow the instructions of local authorities, and contact the Trade Office or MFA 24-hour Duty Office if they require consular assistance.”

The magnitude 6.4 earthquake had toppled a 17-storey apartment building in southern Taiwan earlier this morning, killing at least 5, according to the Tainan city emergency centre. Confirmed fatalities include a 10-day-old girl and a 40-year-old man. At least 230 people were pulled out from rubble, as more than 1,200 firefighters and soldiers raced to find dozens of others unaccounted for.

So far, there have been no reports of Singaporeans injured in the earthquake, according to a statement from the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei.

The Trade Office has been contacting registered Singaporeans in Tainan and nearby cities that are affected by the earthquake and will continue with contact tracing efforts.

“We also send our deepest condolences to those who lost their loved ones,” said the office.

Singaporeans in the affected areas have been advised to contact the Singapore Trade Office in Taipei or the 24-hour MFA Duty Office at:

Singapore Trade Office in Taipei
Duty Office no: (+886) - 953 532 638
Email: singtr_tpe [at] mfa.sg

Ministry of Foreign Affairs Duty Office
Tel: (+65) 6379 8800/8855
Email: mfa_duty_officer [at] mfa.gov.sg

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