Update: 5 dead 1 missing after rogue waves strike NE Taiwan

更新：恐怖海浪襲擊東北台後造成5死1失踪

Third person reported killed by wave of rogue waves that struck beaches in northeast Taiwan's Yilan County


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Three separate drowning incidents were reported on two beaches in Yilan County within the space of two hours yesterday afternoon (Sept. 2), with the death toll now standing at five as one person remains missing, while one person sustained a minor injury, reported TVBS.

At 5:41 a.m., search and rescue personnel found the body of a female 40-year-old woman surnamed Wei (魏) about 1.6 nautical miles from Nan'ao's Mystery Beach. Four hours later, not far from the beach, the body of her son surnamed Lee (李), 10, was recovered as well.

Three separate deadly incidents involving rogue waves were reported in Yilan County's Mystery Beach in Nan'ao and Neipei Beach yesterday. In the case of the woman surnamed Wei, she had been riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) with her son on Mystery Beach, when they were suddenly washed out to sea by a rogue wave at 5:03 p.m.

Earlier that day, also on Mystery Beach, a 52-year-old man surnamed Chou and his wife surnamed Liu, 50, were riding an ATV along with the 52-year-old ATV rental owner surnamed Ho, who was riding another ATV. Suddenly, they along with their vehicles were washed out to sea by a rogue wave that was estimated to be over 3 meters in height at 3:06 p.m., reported TVBS.

Rescuers said a Coast Guard Administration boat carried a male body to Nansing Inspection Office in Nan'ao at 6:36 p.m., and the body was confirmed to be Chou by his family, the report said. However, Ho is still missing, according to the report.

On Neipi beach in Su'ao, an eight-year-old girl, who was enjoying the beach with her family and friends, was suddenly swept out to sea by a rogue wave and a male passerby surnamed Wu (吳) jumped in the water to try to save her. The girl was washed ashore and survived, however, the man drowned, and paramedics were unable to revive him.