The remains of Mr Sim Hwee Kok, a Singaporean who went missing alongside his wife, Ms Neo Siew Choo, following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan’s Hualien county, have been discovered. Mr Sim’s remains were found on 11 January 2025, more than 200 days after the disaster that struck on 3 April 2024.
The couple had last been seen on surveillance footage getting off a bus near the Shakadang Trail in Hualien’s Taroko National Park around 7.20am on the day of the earthquake, which was Taiwan’s strongest in 25 years. Shortly after, the earthquake triggered a massive landslide near the trail, which was badly damaged and rendered dangerous for further exploration.
According to Taiwanese media, a farmer discovered a piece of bone in a riverbed near Wujianwu, approximately 1.5km from the trail entrance. The bone was located below a section of the trail where the landslide had occurred. Upon finding it, the farmer reported the discovery to local authorities, who spent nearly four hours investigating and retrieving the remains due to the damage caused by the earthquake.
A visual assessment determined that the bone likely originated from the hip. It was sent for DNA testing, matched against samples previously provided by the couple’s son.
On 24 January, Taiwanese authorities confirmed that the bone belonged to Mr Sim. Investigations suggested that the earthquake caused a landslide behind the trail’s main water pipe, washing Mr Sim’s body into the river valley.
Despite further searches in the area, no additional remains of Mr Sim or his wife have been located.
The family of Mr Sim and Ms Neo has been informed of the findings. Local authorities will soon return Mr Sim’s remains to his loved ones. In December 2024, the Hualien district court officially declared both individuals deceased following a petition by their family.
The couple, who also reportedly held Australian citizenship, were avid travellers and had embarked on the Shakadang Trail shortly before the earthquake struck. Following their disappearance, the Hualien fire department conducted multiple searches, including the use of sniffer dogs that were provided with the couple’s clothing to track their scent.
After weeks of unsuccessful search operations, efforts were called off due to safety concerns in the quake-damaged area. The family later held a religious ceremony, including spiritual evocation rites, on 14 April 2024.
The tragedy highlighted the risks associated with hiking in areas prone to natural disasters. The 7.4-magnitude earthquake caused widespread destruction in Hualien county, displacing thousands and prompting extensive recovery efforts.
With no trace of Ms Neo yet found, authorities continue to monitor the area for potential developments.
