Search and rescue operations continued around Taiwan's popular tourist destination Taroko Gorge on Saturday, as the death toll from the March 3 earthquake rose to 13.

Near the epicenter, located in the eastern county of Hualien, the quake triggered falling rocks in the gorge.

Six people are still unaccounted for as rain, tremors and the risk of landslides hampered rescue work.

Helicopter search and rescue teams are airlifting more than 300 tourists stranded due to impassable roads.

The powerful earthquake has damaged 830 buildings across Taiwan, and many people have lost their homes.
In the central part of Hualien, people were seen carrying furniture and appliances from a condominium, which housed about 150 families.

They said the building's walls were cracked by the quake and it is unsafe to live there.

A 42-year-old man who now lives in a hotel said he is trying to be optimistic and encourage his family and others.

A woman who lives on the 12th floor of the condominium said she has no other alternative, and she is not sure if she can continue to live there.

A vendor in his 40s operates an outdoor stall under the eaves of a building with exposed metal reinforcing rods.

The man estimated it will cost more than 20,000 dollars to have the building repaired.

He said sales have declined by 70 percent following the quake and he wants to return to his old life.