Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-12-16

A search and rescue team from New Taipei is on standby to help in the aftermath of a 6.9 earthquake that struck Indonesia late Friday.

The earthquake hit the western part of the Indonesian island of Java, killing at least one and leaving many injured. A large number of buildings in the area reportedly collapsed during the earthquake, with others left damaged.

The New Taipei-based search and rescue team says it has experience responding to earthquakes in Taiwan. The team says it has put together a group of 37 rescuers and two rescue dogs along with an array of search and rescue equipment. It also says it is ready to leave for Indonesia at any time, and is awaiting instructions from the National Fire Agency.

Meanwhile, the foreign ministry says that according to its initial understanding, no Taiwanese nationals were killed in the earthquake. A foreign ministry spokesperson says that Taiwan’s representative office in Indonesia will remain in close contact with Indonesian authorities.    [SOURCE]