Human Remains Found in Taiwan Confirmed as Missing Singaporean Earthquake Victim
The remains of a Singaporean man, Mr Sim Hwee Kok, who went missing during the devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan’s Hualien county in April 2024, have been confirmed. The discovery brings a tragic yet conclusive end to a nearly nine-month search for the missing couple, Mr Sim and his partner, Ms Neo Siew Choo.
The remains were found on January 11 by a 59-year-old man named Wang, who spotted what appeared to be human bones on a riverbed beneath a landslide area along the Shakadang Trail. Mr Wang immediately alerted the authorities, who conducted further searches but found no additional remains. Forensic experts later identified the remains as a human hip bone, which was transferred to Hualien’s district court for further examination.
On January 24, DNA analysis confirmed that the remains belonged to mr sim. His identity was verified by matching DNA from the remains with a sample provided by his son,who had traveled to Taiwan after the quake to search for his father.
Mr Sim and Ms Neo were last seen on surveillance cameras getting off a bus near the Shakadang Trail at around 7:20 a.m. on April 3, 2024—just 40 minutes before the 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck. The couple were the only two people reported missing after the disaster whom authorities had not been able to locate.
Taiwanese authorities believe the couple were swept away by a landslide on the Shakadang Trail during the quake,with Mr Sim’s remains carried into a ravine by the flow of debris and river currents. Hualien’s district court has stated it will notify Mr Sim’s family to arrange for the retrieval of his remains.
Death certificates Issued in December
In December 2024, Taiwanese authorities issued death certificates for Mr Sim and Ms Neo, as they had not been found and were presumed dead. The death certificates for the couple list their time of death as noon on April 3, 2024.
The earthquake, recorded as the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, triggered landslides that blocked roads and severely damaged buildings around Hualien city.The disaster was followed by more than 1,100 aftershocks, leaving over 1,000 people injured and claiming at least 18 lives.
Key Information Summary
| detail | Information |
|———————————|———————————————————————————|
| date of Earthquake | April 3, 2024 |
| Magnitude | 7.2 |
| Location | Hualien county, Taiwan |
| Missing Persons | Mr Sim Hwee Kok and ms Neo Siew Choo |
| Remains Found | January 11, 2025 |
| DNA Confirmation | January 24, 2025 |
| Death Certificates Issued | December 2024 |
| Casualties | Over 1,000 injured, at least 18 deaths |
The discovery of Mr Sim’s remains provides a somber closure to a heartbreaking chapter for his family and loved ones. As the search for Ms Neo continues, the tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the devastating power of natural disasters.
Editor’s Questions and Guest’s Answers
Editor: can you provide an overview of the events leading to the discovery of Mr.Sim’s remains?
Guest: Certainly. On january 11, 2025, remains were found near the Shakadang Trail in Hualien, Taiwan. Authorities were immediately alerted and conducted further searches, but no additional remains were discovered. Forensic experts later identified the remains as a human hip bone, wich was transferred to Hualien’s district court for further examination. DNA analysis confirmed on January 24, 2025, that the remains belonged to Mr. Sim Hwee Kok, a Singaporean who had been missing since the 7.2-magnitude earthquake on April 3, 2024.
Editor: How was Mr. Sim’s identity confirmed?
Guest: Mr. Sim’s identity was verified through DNA analysis by matching the remains with a sample provided by his son, who had traveled to Taiwan after the quake to search for his father.
Editor: What is known about Mr. Sim’s last known whereabouts?
Guest: Mr. sim and his wife, Ms. Neo Siew Choo, were last seen on surveillance cameras getting off a bus near the Shakadang Trail at around 7:20 a.m. on April 3, 2024—just 40 minutes before the earthquake struck. Taiwanese authorities believe the couple were swept away by a landslide on the trail during the quake, with Mr.Sim’s remains carried into a ravine by the flow of debris and river currents.
editor: What steps did authorities take after the earthquake?
Guest: Following the earthquake, Taiwanese authorities issued death certificates for Mr. sim and Ms. Neo in December 2024, as they had not been found and were presumed dead. The certificates list their time of death as noon on April 3, 2024.
Editor: What was the impact of the earthquake on the region?
Guest: The 7.2-magnitude earthquake, recorded as the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, triggered landslides that blocked roads and severely damaged buildings around Hualien city. The disaster was followed by more than 1,100 aftershocks, leaving over 1,000 people injured and claiming at least 18 lives.
Editor: What happens next for Mr. Sim’s family?
Guest: Hualien’s district court has stated it will notify Mr. Sim’s family to arrange for the retrieval of his remains. Simultaneously occurring, the search for Ms. Neo continues, though no additional remains have been found so far.
Key Takeaways
- The remains of Mr. Sim Hwee Kok were discovered on January 11, 2025, and confirmed through DNA analysis on January 24, 2025.
- The couple was last seen near the Shakadang Trail on April 3, 2024, shortly before the 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck.
- Taiwanese authorities issued death certificates for the couple in December 2024, listing their time of death as noon on April 3, 2024.
- The earthquake caused significant damage, including landslides and aftershocks, resulting in over 1,000 injuries and at least 18 deaths.
- Mr. Sim’s family has been notified,and arrangements are being made to retrieve his remains.
