A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan on Wednesday, marking the strongest tremor to rock the nation in at least 25 years. The seismic event claimed the lives of four individuals and inflicted substantial damage, triggering a tsunami warning for Japan and the Philippines, which was later rescinded.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the mountainous and sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien, where Taiwan’s government reported four fatalities and over 50 injuries. The aftermath of the quake saw the collapse of at least 26 buildings, with more than half of the incidents occurring in Hualien. Rescue efforts are currently underway, with approximately 20 individuals trapped under debris.
The earthquake struck offshore around 8 am local time, catching residents off guard as they were commuting to work and school. Witnesses described the tremor as exceptionally strong, with structures swaying perilously.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the earthquake had a depth of 15.5km (9.6 miles). Despite its intensity, the country’s capital, Taipei, reported minimal damage, and its Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system resumed operations shortly after the quake.
The seismic activity also sent small tsunami waves to parts of Japan’s Okinawa prefecture, prompting an initial warning which was later downgraded. Similarly, the Philippines Seismology Agency issued warnings for coastal regions, urging residents to seek higher ground.
Although Taiwan issued a tsunami alert, no significant damage was reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that the risk of destructive tsunami waves had passed.
Aftershocks continued to rattle Taiwan, with over 25 aftershocks recorded by the central weather administration. The earthquake’s impact extended beyond Taiwan, as tremors were felt in China’s Fujian province and Shanghai.
In response to the quake, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), a major semiconductor manufacturer, evacuated some fabrication plants as a precautionary measure. However, the company reassured that safety protocols were in place, and employees were gradually returning to work.
The earthquake’s economic repercussions were evident, with shares of TSMC and other tech firms experiencing declines in early trading. Taiwan’s official central news agency deemed this quake as the most significant since 1999, highlighting its impact on the island nation’s history of seismic events.
The resilience of Taiwan’s communities is being tested once again, as authorities coordinate relief efforts and assess the extent of the damage caused by this natural disaster.
