On Wednesday, Taiwan was struck by a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake, the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years. Here are the key details surrounding this catastrophic event:
- Impact and Casualties:
- The earthquake shook buildings from their foundations, trapping some individuals. Reports indicate one fatality and over 50 injuries as of Wednesday.
- Television footage showed buildings at precarious angles in Hualien county, near the quake’s epicenter, highlighting the severity of the damage.
- Geographical Details:
- The quake hit at 07:58 am local time at a depth of 15.5km (9.6 miles) off the eastern coast of Taiwan, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
- Japan’s weather agency reported small tsunami waves reaching parts of Okinawa, subsequently downgrading the tsunami warning to an advisory.
- Regional Impact:
- The Philippines Seismology Agency issued warnings for coastal areas, prompting evacuations to higher ground.
- The quake’s tremors were felt as far as Shanghai in China, with reports of its impact in several provinces.
- Aftershocks and Infrastructure Damage:
- Aftershocks continued to reverberate in Taipei, with at least 25 registered so far.
- While Taipei’s MRT resumed operations swiftly, over 87,000 households remained without power. However, no significant damage was reported in the city.
- The earthquake caused disruptions in high-speed rail services, although no injuries or damages were reported.
- Impact on Industry and Economy:
- Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), located in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, reported minimal impact on operations.
- However, shares of TSMC and other key companies, such as Foxconn and Au Optronics, witnessed declines in early trading.
- This earthquake marked the most significant seismic event in Taiwan since 1999, emphasizing its destructive force and potential ramifications.
- Severity of Quake:
- The earthquake registered as the second-highest intensity of an “Upper 6” in Hualien county, indicating severe structural damage and endangerment to individuals.
- The last earthquake of such magnitude in 1999 resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure, highlighting the enduring risks posed by seismic activity in the region.
The earthquake in Taiwan serves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of natural disasters and underscores the importance of robust disaster preparedness measures to mitigate their impact on lives and livelihoods.
