Taiwan search and rescue team returns from New Zealand mission

Taipei, March 4 (CNA) An urban search and rescue team returned to Taiwan Friday after wrapping up a mission in New Zealand in the aftermath of a 6.3-magnitude earthquake that devastated the city of Christchurch in late February.

The 22-member team, which was assembled by the National Fire Agency (NFA) under the Ministry of the Interior, was greeted by Vice Foreign Minister Shen Ssu-tsun and NFA Director Yeh Chi-tang upon arrival at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport.

The team members said they had followed the New Zealand government's instructions to carry out searches in designated areas in Christchurch, the hardest-hit area.

During its mission, the team searched 350 buildings in 21 districts in Christchurch, the largest city in New Zealand's South Island, but did not find anyone trapped in the rubble or locate any dead bodies.

The team members said they will use the New Zealand experience for reference in any earthquake relief operations at home.

The team departed for New Zealand Feb. 22 to join the post-quake search and rescue efforts. According to reports, more than 160 people have been confirmed dead in the quake, while hundreds of others remain unaccounted for.

A female Taiwanese student was among a number of foreign nationals who were reportedly trapped under the collapsed Canterbury Television building. So far, she has not been located.

(Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel)