3-4-2024 (TAIPEI) In a catastrophic event that has left the island nation reeling, Taiwan experienced its most potent earthquake in over two decades on Wednesday, as reported by authorities. The magnitude 7.2 tremor, originating just offshore near Hualien County, claimed the lives of nine individuals and left a staggering 821 others injured.
The quake, which struck at a shallow depth of just 15.5 kilometers (9.6 miles), unleashed a torrent of destruction across the eastern regions of the country. Dramatic footage from the scene depicted buildings precariously tilted at alarming angles, while massive landslides engulfed roadways, trapping unwary travelers.
As the tremors reverberated through Taipei, the nation’s capital, the subway system was forced into a temporary shutdown, though most lines swiftly resumed operations. Rescuers were seen using ladders to extract trapped individuals from windows, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Amidst the chaos, authorities revealed that a group of 50 travelers, aboard four minibuses en route to the picturesque Taroko Gorge National Park, had gone missing, prompting intensive search and rescue efforts.
President-elect Lai Ching-te, who is set to assume office next month, declared the rescue operation as the “top priority” while surveying the collapsed structures in Hualien. The rail link to the affected area is expected to reopen on Thursday, providing a crucial lifeline for relief efforts.
The quake’s impact extended beyond Taiwan’s borders, prompting tsunami warnings in southern Japan and the Philippines, which were later lifted. In Japan, small tsunami waves were reported in Okinawa Prefecture, while the Philippines advised coastal residents in several provinces to seek higher ground as a precautionary measure.
Taiwan’s critical semiconductor industry, a vital component of the global supply chain, also felt the tremors’ effects. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a major supplier to tech giants like Apple and Nvidia, evacuated some of its fabrication plants, though it later confirmed that safety systems were operating normally and employees had begun returning to work.
