A seismic event of significant magnitude struck Taiwan, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, marking the most powerful earthquake the island has experienced in a quarter century.
The tremor, originating off the eastern coast of Taiwan, brought devastation to Hualien County, claiming the lives of four individuals and leaving over 50 injured. Additionally, tragic fatalities occurred when three hikers were caught in rockslides within Taroko National Park, near the epicenter.
The aftermath revealed scenes of destruction, with buildings perilously tilted in Hualien County, while power outages swept through various parts of Taipei, the capital city. The impact rippled beyond Taiwan, triggering a tsunami warning for coastal regions in the Philippines and southern Japan. Although small tsunami waves reached Okinawa in Japan, subsequent assessments revised the magnitude to 7.7, prompting a downgrade in the warning status.
The seismic shockwaves reverberated across borders, with reports of the quake's effects felt in Shanghai, China, and several other cities in Fujian province. Aftershocks continued to rattle Taipei, adding to the sense of unease and disruption in the region. Despite the widespread tremors, initial assessments indicated no significant damage in Taipei, allowing rapid resumption of services such as the Mass Rapid Transit system.
The earthquake posed concerns for critical infrastructure and industries in Taiwan, particularly in the Southern Taiwan Science Park, home to semiconductor manufacturing facilities. While companies like Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. assured operational continuity, safety protocols were activated, leading to evacuations in some facilities. The impact rippled through financial markets, with stocks of major technology firms like TSMC and Foxconn experiencing declines in early trading.
The seismic event serves as a stark reminder of Taiwan's vulnerability to earthquakes, with the last comparable catastrophe occurring in 1999. That disaster, a 7.6-magnitude quake, resulted in significant loss of life and extensive damage to infrastructure. In this recent quake, the severity reached an "Upper 6" intensity in Hualien County, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, indicating substantial structural damage and posing significant challenges to rescue and recovery efforts.
