2 Men Pulled Alive From Hotel Rubble

TAIPEI, Taiwan — Rescue workers pulled two men, reportedly brothers, alive from a toppled Taipei hotel Sunday, more than five days after Taiwan’s earthquake--the first rescue in nearly two days.

First, a 20-year-old man was lifted from the debris by a crane, conscious and able to talk to his rescuers.

The man shook hands with and embraced his rescuers, who shielded his eyes from the bright daylight.

Minutes later, the second man, identified by authorities as the first man’s brother, was pulled out on a stretcher.

Rescue officials said it was believed that up to four others also were still alive in the wreckage of the Sungshan hotel and apartment complex.

Taipei Mayor Ma Ying-jeou said officials had been using heavy equipment to pull down the building, having largely given up hope of finding survivors, but backed off after finding signs of life.