Nurses Desperately Cling to Infants in Nursery Ward During Taiwan Earthquake, Video Shows
In a video from a postpartum care center in Taipei, a group of nurses rushed to help the babies instead of taking shelter themselves
Video from the earthquake in Taiwan shows the moment three nurses helped protect newborn infants
The video, taken at the Ma Chérie Postpartum Care Center in Taipei, showed the nurses jumping into action
“Our priority was to ensure the safety of the babies," one nurse told CNA English News
When an earthquake struck Taiwan’s eastern coast early Wednesday morning a group of nurses said they “didn’t have time to be scared.”
In a video taken as the 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit just before 8 a.m., three nurses ran into a room at the Ma Chérie Postpartum Care Center in Taipei to protect about a dozen newborns.
Instead of taking shelter themselves, they hurriedly worked to move all of the incubators to the middle of the space — away from the walls — and held them together as the room shook violently from the quake.
“When the earthquake struck, we didn’t have time to be scared,” Aly, a nurse, told CNA English News. “Our priority was to ensure the safety of the babies.”
Related: More Than 2,300 People Dead After 2 Massive Earthquakes Hit Turkey and Syria
Head nurse Elaine also recalled the terrifying moment when the nurses leapt into action, and said it was part of an instinct they had to protect the newborns.
“Those working in health care can relate,” she said. “Hopefully our actions inspire people to act with kindness.”
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Wednesday’s earthquake was Taiwan’s strongest in 25 years, CNN reported.
As of Thursday, the death toll had climbed to at least 10, with 11 people missing, ABC News reported. Additionally, more than 1,000 were injured in the quake, while 700 people were stranded and in need of rescue, authorities said.
Related: 4.0 Magnitude Earthquake Reported Off Florida's Space Coast Ahead of Rocket Launch: ‘Pretty Rare’
Since the initial quake, more than 100 aftershocks have struck the island, the U.S. Geological Survey said, per ABC.
Nearly two days after the earthquake, the nurses are sharing their experience in an effort to lift others up, they say.
“Please cherish those around you, life is precious,” Elaine told CNA English News. “I hope those babies spread this love to others when they grow up.”
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
