Taiwan moves from rescue to recovery phase after quake

Taiwan said on Sunday it had called a halt to rescue efforts after two more mainland tourists were confirmed dead in the powerful earthquake last week in Hualien county, bringing the death toll to 17.

The location of the bodies of the two tourists was verified and they were pinned under rubble, said Fu Kun-chi, head of Hualien county.

"We decided to dismantle the building from the top to retrieve the bodies, with the family members' approval," he said.