Taiwan experienced its most powerful earthquake in over 25 years on Wednesday, leading to at least nine fatalities and injuring over 900 individuals. Compounding the tragedy, 50 workers en route to a hotel in a national park went missing after their minibusses were caught in the disaster.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2, struck near the sparsely populated county of Hualien, close to the epicenter, causing buildings to lean dangerously and triggering massive landslides.
Hualien City Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei announced evacuations and the commencement of demolition work on four buildings deemed unsafe.
Meanwhile, efforts to locate 50 workers missing en route to Taroko Gorge and another 80 trapped in a mining area are ongoing.
The quake's impact was felt far and wide, with live news broadcasts capturing the moment it struck, and tremors forcing Taipei's subway system to a brief halt. Despite the immediate resumption of most subway lines, the event left a mark on the city’s residents and infrastructure.
The quake also disrupted transportation, with landslides blocking roads and affecting rail services expected to resume the following day.
International ramifications
The earthquake’s ramifications extended beyond Taiwan, with Japan and the Philippines issuing tsunami warnings and advisories, and tremors felt as far away as Shanghai and Fujian province in China.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, crucial to global electronics supply chains, was also affected, with TSMC evacuating some plants but reporting no significant impact on production.
As Taiwan rallies to recover from the earthquake, the focus remains on rescue efforts and ensuring the safety of those affected.
Hualien City Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei announced evacuations and the commencement of demolition work on four buildings deemed unsafe.
Meanwhile, efforts to locate 50 workers missing en route to Taroko Gorge and another 80 trapped in a mining area are ongoing.
The quake's impact was felt far and wide, with live news broadcasts capturing the moment it struck, and tremors forcing Taipei's subway system to a brief halt. Despite the immediate resumption of most subway lines, the event left a mark on the city’s residents and infrastructure.
The quake also disrupted transportation, with landslides blocking roads and affecting rail services expected to resume the following day.
The disaster prompted a nationwide response, with President-elect Lai Ching-te emphasizing the priority of rescue operations. International support was offered, with the U.S. extending its readiness to assist, and Taiwan's air force reporting minor damages to F-16 fighter jets but expecting a quick return to service.7.4 magnitude Earthquake hits near Taiwan
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International ramifications
The earthquake’s ramifications extended beyond Taiwan, with Japan and the Philippines issuing tsunami warnings and advisories, and tremors felt as far away as Shanghai and Fujian province in China.
Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, crucial to global electronics supply chains, was also affected, with TSMC evacuating some plants but reporting no significant impact on production.
As Taiwan rallies to recover from the earthquake, the focus remains on rescue efforts and ensuring the safety of those affected.
Source: Reuters
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