TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – A company from Japan is using ground-penetrating radar to detect the threat of sinkholes in Hualien following the massive 0403 earthquake, reports said Tuesday (Aug. 20).

The magnitude 7.2 temblor on April 3 caused the collapse of buildings and inflicted severe damages on roads, bridges, and rail tracks across Hualien County. The disaster also dealt a massive blow to the region’s status as one of the country’s prime tourism destinations.

Japan’s Geo Search Co., Ltd. sent a team to Hualien after the quake to review 54 roads free of charge, CNA reported. The company deployed ground-penetrating radar on vehicles covering 41.5 kilometers of road around the city to detect potential problems.

According to a news conference Tuesday presenting the results of their work, the review uncovered anomalies at 177 locations. Last week, the company used endoscope technology to complete a 3D model of the six most threatening sites.

The Japanese company’s local partner, Sunrise Geomatics Co., Ltd., said underground water pipes could start leaking, making sinkholes more likely. The businesses underlined the importance of early detection work to prevent road damage, while the city government sent crews to repair the most critical points.