Tragedy Strikes: Two Fatalities After Incident off Taiwan's Orchid Island

Coast Guard Confirms Recovery of Bodies Following Nighttime Rescue Attempt

Taipei, Taiwan - In a somber turn of events, the Coast Guard has confirmed the recovery of two bodies following a nighttime incident off the coast of Lanyu (Orchid Island), a scenic island known for its natural beauty and part of Taiwan. The incident occurred late Friday night, leading to an immediate and extensive search and rescue operation.

According to official reports, the Coast Guard Administration Eastern Branch 13th Coast Patrol Corps received a distress call at approximately 8:21 PM on Friday. The caller reported that one individual had fallen into the sea and another had immediately entered the water in an attempt to rescue him. Both individuals were subsequently reported missing.

The Coast Guard responded swiftly, deploying personnel equipped with remote-controlled lifebuoys, single-rotor drones, and other advanced rescue technology. The search effort, however, was hampered by poor lighting conditions and the challenging marine environment.

The search operation involved a collaborative effort, with additional units from the 15th Coast Patrol Corps, the Lanyu fire brigade of the Taitung County Fire Department, and the National Air Service Corps also providing support.

The body of a man, identified by his surname Huang, was discovered on Saturday morning. Later that day, the body of a man with the surname Lo was also recovered. Further investigations are underway.

Initial reports suggest that the individuals involved were not local to the Orchid Island area. The local authorities are now handling all subsequent matters, including investigations into the circumstances of the incident.