Taiwan was struck by a series of earthquakes starting on Monday and continuing into early Tuesday morning. The strongest quake measured 6.3 on the Richter scale and caused partial collapse of two buildings, leaving residents fearful and sleepless throughout the night. These tremors were identified as aftershocks from a devastating magnitude 7.3 earthquake that occurred three weeks prior, claiming 17 lives.
Impact and Response
The initial tremor, registering at 5.5 magnitude, originated in Hualien County on Taiwan’s eastern coast, followed by several smaller aftershocks in the same vicinity. Due to the damage caused, residents were evacuated, and schools and offices in Hualien County were shut as a precaution. Fortunately, no casualties were reported by Tuesday morning.
By the next day, over 180 aftershocks were recorded within a 24-hour period, with the most significant ones, magnitudes 6 and 6.3, occurring off the eastern coast of Taiwan and near Hualien County, respectively. The most recent notable tremor struck at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday.
Chen Mei-hui, a 58-year-old resident of Hualien, expressed the psychological toll of the repeated earthquakes, stating she has been unable to rest since the prior quake. She shared her hope that her home would withstand the ongoing seismic activity.
Maps: Earthquakes Shake Eastern Taiwan
View the location of each quake’s epicenter and shake area.
Report by: Chris Buckley
