The death toll of the deadly earthquake that struck Taiwan a week ago rose to 16 on Wednesday, with the island's leader Tsai Ing-wen vowing a speedy recovery during a visit to the hardest-hit eastern county of Hualien.
Thanking those engaged in relief efforts, Tsai told reporters her government is "fully committed to implementing post-disaster recovery and revitalization plans as quickly as possible," and providing the greatest support to people and businesses affected by the quake.
The president also expressed appreciation for support from the international community, including donations pledged by the Japanese government and private sector as well as a drone team dispatched by Turkey for search operations.
Meanwhile, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world's largest contract chipmaker, has pledged assistance to disaster victims, with the head of the TSMC Charity Foundation inspecting damage in Hualien on Tuesday.
The quake, which registered magnitude 7.2 according to Taiwan authorities, tilted buildings and caused landslides, injuring more than 1,100 people and leaving three still missing.
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