Bricks falling onto the Central Cross-Island Highway hurt an 8-year old child, who was sitting in a car with his parents. The child's parents took him to the Tz'u Chi Buddhist General Hospital, where he was listed in serious condition last night.
The Su-hwa Highway connecting Suao and Hualien was closed yesterday afternoon due to falling bricks.
Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou (
The city government's rescue center said the MRT resumed service at 5pm yesterday, but the Mucha line between Linkuang Station and Chungshan Junior High School Station would remain down until this morning.
In addition, the rescue center urged Taipei motorists not to illegally park on overpasses or expressways.
President Chen Shui-bian (
He instructed Premier Yu Shyi-kun to lead the rescue operations.
"I hope that everybody is safe with their family members at home," Chen said.
Yu said that everything was under control and the government would keep the public up to date on rescue efforts.
"I'm sorry for this natural disaster, which we could not avoid," Yu said. "I'm pretty glad that our rescue crews could react quickly, even though the earthquake occurred during a weekend.
"The government will continue working hard and do whatever it takes to reduce the damage of a natural disaster like this in the future."
The Cabinet-level Council of Agriculture said the quake didn't do much damage to the nation's crops, but an emergency center was on stand-by if necessary.
Admiral Li Chieh (李傑), chief of the general staff, said 230 soldiers from the military police were ready to join rescue efforts if needed.
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