A Japanese company is providing ground penetrating radar technology free of charge to help the quake-hit city of Hualien in eastern Taiwan detect sinkholes under roads during reconstruction.
Tokyo-based Geo Search Co. will survey 50 kilometers of road in Hualien, which was struck by a magnitude 7.2 earthquake in April, over four days through Thursday and analyze the collected data for up to three weeks for subsurface anomalies that could develop into sinkholes or cause other disastrous collapses.
The data will then be provided to the authorities for reference as they repair roads, Geo Search said. The company also volunteered to conduct similar surveys after a deadly magnitude 6.4 quake struck eastern Taiwan in February 2018.
Masatoshi Okamura, a senior Geo Search official, said the company is providing the service free of charge to thank Taiwan for offering assistance when Japan is impacted by earthquakes. The Japanese firm opened a Taipei office in 2019.
"I think there is a very important connection between Taiwan and Japan, because we have a good relationship just like a family," Okamura told Kyodo News.
The April 3 temblor, the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years, claimed 18 lives and injured more than 1,100 people.
Hualien Mayor Wei Chia-yen thanked Geo Search for offering its assistance for the second time to reduce potential road disasters, saying city residents will "remember the warmth in their hearts."
"A friend in need is a friend indeed," the mayor added.
Related coverage:
Strong aftershocks rattle Taiwan but no casualties reported
Taiwan quake death toll rises to 16, Tsai vows speedy recovery
