HUALIEN: A powerful magnitude 7.5 earthquake rattled Taiwan on Wednesday, marking the strongest tremor to hit the island in 25 years.
According to Al Jazeera, the quake, which struck at 7:58 am local time (23:58 GMT), originated southwest of Hualien City, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). So far, the disaster has claimed nine lives and injured approximately 900 others. The temblor also prompted tsunami warnings for southern Japan and the Philippines, although these warnings were later lifted.
Impact and aftermath
The Taiwan earthquake triggered a series of aftershocks, with at least 58 recorded by the USGS. Initial reports indicated that 26 buildings collapsed, including 15 in Hualien City, with one more building collapse reported in Changhua County.
Landslides were also reported on Suhua Highway in Hualien. Despite conflicting reports on the earthquake’s intensity—ranging from 7.2 to 7.7—its epicenter was situated approximately 18 kilometres southwest of Hualien City, 35 kilometers deep.
Victims and rescue efforts
Taiwan’s fire department confirmed the death toll at nine, with 77 individuals still trapped and 882 injured. Among the victims were hikers on the Dekalun Trail and a truck driver on the Suhua Highway. Rescue operations are ongoing, with approximately 60 individuals trapped in a tunnel north of Hualien City.
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Current situation
Although emergency measures were swiftly enacted, aftershocks continue to pose a threat. Meanwhile, the Central Weather Administration of Taiwan warns of potential aftershocks reaching up to magnitude 7 in the coming days. Power outages affect over 87,000 homes, while infrastructure damage—including collapsed roads, bridges, and a tunnel—hinders relief efforts.
Furthermore,Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) temporarily shut down factories in Hsinchu and southern Taiwan but resumed operations later in the day.
Future plans
President Tsai Ing-wen has pledged military support for rescue efforts and established a disaster response center in Hualien. Meanwhile, President-elect Lai Ching-te plans to visit the affected areas later in the day. Beyond Taiwan, small tsunami waves are anticipated along several coastal regions, as indicated by the US Tsunami Warning Center.
