Here’s what you need to know about the earthquake.
On Wednesday morning, Taiwan was jolted by its most potent earthquake in 25 years, registering a magnitude of 7.4. The temblor claimed the lives of at least nine individuals, left over 800 wounded, and trapped numerous others.
Hualien County, situated on the island's eastern coast, bore the brunt of the devastation, a serene yet seismically susceptible region. Post-event footage depicted a ten-story edifice in partial collapse, teetering precariously to one side, as inhabitants sought escape through windows and descended using ladders, aided by rescue personnel. Meanwhile, three hikers perished after being struck by cascading rocks along a hiking trail within Taroko National Park, as reported by the county administration.
As the day progressed, officials initiated rescue operations to liberate 127 individuals confined, many stranded on hiking routes within Hualien.
Elsewhere, in Changhua County on the western coast, an entire building succumbed to the tremors. The seismic upheaval reverberated across the entirety of Taiwan, triggering no fewer than nine landslides, obstructing the Suhua Highway in Hualien with tumbling rocks, as per local media accounts. Railway services were temporarily suspended island-wide.
Originating off Taiwan's eastern coastline, the earthquake struck during the morning rush, shortly before 8 a.m. By 3 p.m., Taiwanese authorities had recorded over 100 aftershocks, several surpassing a magnitude of 5, rattling the affected region.
In the capital city, Taipei, buildings quivered for more than a minute following the initial tremor. Positioned at the convergence of the Philippine Sea tectonic plate and the Eurasian plate, Taiwan remains susceptible to seismic disturbances. Hualien, in particular, rests atop numerous active fault lines, having endured a fatal quake in 2018 that claimed 17 lives.
Here is the latest:
1. The earthquake struck Taiwan just as numerous residents were gearing up for Tomb Sweeping Day, a cultural holiday observed across Chinese-speaking communities, dedicated to honoring the departed and paying respects at their gravesites. Authorities cautioned against visiting burial sites nestled in mountainous regions as a preventive measure, particularly due to the impending forecast of rainfall in the upcoming days.
2. TSMC, the largest producer of cutting-edge semiconductors globally, momentarily cleared its factories of workers, though shortly thereafter announced their resumption of duties. The fabrication of chips demands utmost precision, and even brief halts can result in multimillion-dollar losses.
* Lai Ching-te, Taiwan’s vice president, who is also its president-elect, visited the city of Hualien this afternoon to assess the destruction and the rescue efforts, a government announcement said. Mr. Lai, who will become president in May, said the most urgent tasks were rescuing trapped residents and providing medical care. Next, Mr. Lai said, public services must be restored, including transportation, water and power. He said Taiwan Railway’s eastern line could be reopened by Thursday night.Said Christopher Buckley.Reporting from Taipei, Taiwan
* Taiwan’s fire department has updated its figures, reporting that nine people have died and 934 others have been injured in the quake. Fifty-six people in Hualien County remain trapped.Taiwan’s fire department reports that nine people have died and 882 others have been injured in Taiwan. In Hualien County, 131 people remain trapped.The death toll has risen to nine, according to Taiwan government statistics.Officials in Taiwan warned residents to not visit their relatives' tombs, especially in the mountains, this weekend during the holiday, known as Ching Ming, meant to honor them. There had already been 100 aftershocks and the forecast called for rain, which could make travel conditions on damaged roads more treacherous.The holiday weekend would typically see a spike in travel as people visit family across Taiwan. Currently, both rail transport and highways are blocked in parts of Hualien, said Transport Minister Wang Guo-cai. Work is underway to restore rail transportation in Hualien, and two-way traffic is expected to be restored at noon on Thursday, he said.
Said Meaghan Tobin.Reporting from Taipei, Taiwan
