Keelung ready to send rescue team to quake-hit Kumamoto

Keelung Mayor Hsieh Lung-chieh has announced that the city's search and rescue team is prepared to deploy to Japan's Kumamoto prefecture to aid in disaster relief efforts following a powerful magnitude 7.1 earthquake. Keelung maintains a close relationship with Yatsushiro City in Kumamoto, having established a sister city agreement in 2018.

Mayor Hsieh confirmed that city officials made immediate contact with their counterparts in Yatsushiro to assess the situation and understand their needs. He stated that the Keelung search and rescue team could be dispatched within four hours if deemed necessary.

In addition to the rescue personnel, a medical team would also accompany the deployment to provide essential support. The mayor emphasized Keelung's willingness to offer assistance, noting the close cultural and economic exchanges between the two cities over the years.

While the immediate focus is on rescue operations, Mayor Hsieh also acknowledged the potential need for future reconstruction efforts. He indicated that Keelung would contribute what it could to support Japan's recovery, referencing Taiwan's past assistance following the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

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If needed, the Keelung City search and rescue team can depart within 4 hours.