Taipei 101 lights up to support flood victims, thank 'Shovel Superheroes'

Taipei, Sept. 30 (CNA) The iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper was illuminated Tuesday evening to express solidarity with residents of Hualien County, who were hit by deadly flooding after a barrier lake overflowed last week, and to thank "Shovel Superheroes" for assisting in cleanup efforts.

From 6:30 p.m., an LED display on the skyscraper alternated between two Mandarin messages: "All of Taiwan stands with Hualien" and "Salute to Shovel Superheroes" -- volunteers who rushed to the eastern county to help with cleanup efforts.

Tens of thousands of volunteers brought their own shovels and equipment to help with cleanup in hard-hit Guangfu Township over the Teachers' Day long weekend.

When Typhoon Ragasa skirted southern Taiwan, heavy rain caused a barrier lake on Matai'an Creek to overflow last Tuesday afternoon, inundating Guangfu, Wanrong and Fenglin townships in Hualien County.

As of 3 p.m. Tuesday, the flooding had left 18 people dead and six missing, according to the Central Emergency Operation Center.

The light display will run until 10 p.m. Tuesday.