Taiwan Earthquake Triggers Rescue Efforts Amidst Widespread Devastation
In Taiwan, rescue operations are underway following a powerful earthquake that struck off the country’s east coast, claiming at least four lives. The 7.4-magnitude quake caused numerous buildings to collapse in Hualien, the city nearest to the epicenter. This seismic event, the strongest in 25 years, reverberated throughout Taiwan, with tremors felt as far as the island’s mountainous interior, triggering massive landslides.
According to Wu Chien Fu, director of Taipei’s Seismology Centre, the earthquake, occurring close to land and at a shallow depth, was felt across Taiwan and its offshore islands. The National Fire Agency reported three fatalities on a trail around Taroko National Park, while over 50 individuals sustained injuries, some of whom remain trapped in buildings and tunnels in Hualien.
The Taiwanese semiconductor giant TSMC took precautionary measures by evacuating some of its factories in Hsinchu and southern Taiwan to ensure the safety of its employees. However, the company reassured us that its safety systems are functioning normally. Earlier, tsunami warnings were issued in Taiwan and neighboring countries.
Videos from Taipei depict collapsed residential structures, evacuations, and chaos in the aftermath. Power outages and internet disruptions have been reported island-wide. The earthquake, occurring at 07:58 local time, triggered multiple aftershocks, with the epicentre located about 18km south of Hualien.
Rescue efforts face challenges due to severed transportation links, as major roads and rail lines connecting Hualien to the rest of Taiwan have been affected. Hualien, situated in a mountainous region, poses logistical hurdles for rescue teams, likely necessitating aerial access.
In 1999, Taiwan was struck by a devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake, claiming thousands of lives and causing extensive damage. In neighbouring Japan, tsunami warnings were issued but later downgraded, while the Philippines’ tsunami warning was cancelled. Tremors were also felt in parts of China’s Fujian province, according to Chinese state media.
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