TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Following the 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Hualien, a 7-person Turkish drone team arrived in Taiwan at 6 p.m. on Saturday (April 6) to begin aerial surveillance in the search for missing persons.

The Turkish team also traveled to Taroko Gorge, where they applied their surveillance skills in rugged terrain. The leader of the Turkish team said two drones with thermal imaging capabilities will be deployed, while another drone will serve as a backup.

The Turkish team was eager to repay the support and financial assistance Taiwan provided to their country during their 7.8-magnitude quake on February 6, 2023, which killed more than 50,000 people. The foreign experts said they were honored to be in Taiwan and pledged to do their best to search for survivors, per CNA.

Chair of GEOSAT Aerospace and Technology and team leader of Taiwan’s national drone squad, Luo Cheng-fang (羅正方), met with the Turkish team in Taroko Gorge on Sunday. He had the team assist with taking aerial shots along Provincial Highway 8 from the 167-km to 185-km mark.

Chen Yi-feng (陳義豐), who heads a National Fire Agency search and rescue team, said Turkish drones took off in front of Taroko Visitor Center with good weather conditions. The aerial filming was concentrated around Shakadang Trail.

Chen noted that search teams still could not locate a missing Singaporean couple through their mobile phone signal. After reviewing bus footage, it was learned the couple exited near Shakadang Trail, indicating the possibility of them still being trapped along the trail.

Taiwanese search and rescue personnel are working with search and rescue dogs to scour the area. Heavy equipment will be used for excavation if signs of life are found.