23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest People
Volunteers salvage a home in Guangfu.
On September 23rd, 2025, a barrier lake in Hualien County burst, submerging the small township of Guangfu in mud and water. Within hours, volunteers poured in from across Taiwan: students, retirees, construction workers. They carried shovels, power tools, and supplies. No one waited for government orders; they simply did what needed to be done. In this photo, a group of volunteers from all over Taiwan is cleaning out mud from a flooded home in Guangfu. A photograph of the couple who lived here can be seen on the wall, and there is a visible water line just below it.
Photo Detail
| Date Taken: | 10.2025 |
| Date Uploaded: | 10.2025 |
| Photo Location: | Guangfu, Taiwan |
| Camera: | X-T5 |
| Copyright: | © Cahleen Hudson |