Missing Solo Hiker Found Deceased After 18 Days by Taichung Fire Department Drone

(CNA, Taichung, May 18, by reporter Chao Li-yen) A 48-year-old female hiker, surnamed Yao, who went solo hiking on the Jhihjiayang trail on May 1, has been missing for 18 days. The Taichung City Fire Department used a drone to search today and found what is suspected to be Yao's body on the south face of Mt. Xue. The body is stuck on a 200-meter-deep steep cliff, and an air-sea rescue helicopter has been requested to airlift the body. The Taichung City Fire Department stated in a press release that they received a report on the 5th. The informant said that their friend, Ms. Yao, was scheduled to hike the Jhihjiayang trail alone from May 1 to May 3. After losing contact with her, the informant drove to the trailhead and found Yao's car still parked nearby, prompting them to request assistance. The Taichung City Fire Department dispatched search and rescue personnel, who found the missing person's hiking equipment and car keys inside the Piaodan mountain hut on the afternoon of the 5th. However, consecutive days of searching towards Mt. Xue's main peak were unsuccessful. This morning, search and rescue personnel used a drone and discovered what is suspected to be Yao's body on the south face of Mt. Xue, wearing a blue jacket and gray pants. Because the body fell onto a deep and steep cliff, about 200 meters from the ridgeline, in a dangerously located terrain, search and rescue personnel could not descend. They have requested an in-place airlift by an air-sea rescue helicopter. (Editor: Chen Jen-hua) 1150518