Taiwan was hit by a series of earthquakes on Monday and early Tuesday, with the strongest measuring 6.3 in magnitude. The tremors were aftershocks from a magnitude 7.3 quake that occurred three weeks prior, resulting in the deaths of 17 people. The first tremor occurred on Monday evening with a 5.5 magnitude quake in Hualien County on the east coast of Taiwan, followed by a series of smaller tremors in the same area. The aftershocks caused two buildings in the city of Hualien to partially collapse, prompting the evacuation of residents and closure of schools and offices in the county for safety precautions.
Authorities reported that no injuries or deaths had been reported by Tuesday morning, despite the shaking that kept residents awake overnight. The director of the Taiwanese Central Weather Administration’s Seismological Center, Wu Chien-fu, confirmed that the quakes were indeed aftershocks from the deadly April 3 quake, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years. The epicenter of the April earthquake was also in the Hualien County area. By Tuesday morning, more than 180 aftershocks had been recorded in the previous 24 hours, with the strongest at magnitude 6.3 occurring around 2:32 a.m., about 10 miles from Hualien County.
Residents in the affected areas expressed their fear and discomfort following the series of earthquakes. Chen Mei-hui, a 58-year-old retired saleswoman living in Hualien, described the tremors as putting her in a “very torturous mood” and impacting her ability to sleep. She expressed hope that her house would withstand the ongoing seismic activity. The central Weather Administration continued to monitor the situation, reporting another strong tremor at around 8 a.m. on Tuesday. Reports indicated that more than 180 aftershocks occurred within the span of 24 hours, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region.
The aftershocks reignited fears and trauma from the previous deadly quake, with residents finding it difficult to cope with the uncertainty and anxiety brought on by the ongoing seismic activity. Schools and offices in Hualien County remained closed on Tuesday as authorities assessed the situation and monitored the aftershocks. While the earthquakes did cause building damage, no injuries or deaths were reported as of Tuesday morning. The Taiwanese government urged residents to stay alert and prepared for further tremors, emphasizing the importance of earthquake safety and preparedness measures.
The series of earthquakes in Taiwan highlighted the vulnerability of the region to seismic activity and the importance of disaster preparedness and response. With the memory of the deadly quake just three weeks prior still fresh in residents’ minds, the aftershocks served as a stark reminder of the constant threat of earthquakes in the area. As the central Weather Administration continued to monitor the aftershocks, residents remained on edge, hoping for stability and safety in the midst of ongoing seismic activity. The resilience and fortitude of the Taiwanese people were evident as they faced the challenges and uncertainties brought on by the earthquakes, rallying together to support one another and ensure their safety and well-being.
