Rescue operations are currently underway in Taiwan following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the eastern coast of the island. Tragically, the quake has claimed the lives of at least nine individuals and left over 800 others injured.
Reports indicate that approximately 127 individuals are currently trapped in collapsed tunnels and on mountainous roads along the rugged coastline.
The earthquake’s epicenter was located 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien city. However, its impact was felt strongly in the capital city of Taipei, which is over 100 kilometers away.
This seismic event marks the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in the past 25 years.
The earthquake also led to tsunami alerts earlier in the day in nearby Japanese and Philippine islands, although these alerts were later canceled. The most severe damage occurred in Hualien, where buildings collapsed, roads were obstructed, and train services were disrupted, further isolating the remote region from the rest of Taiwan.
Ocean Tsai, a resident of Hualien, recounted, “I was just getting out of bed when a clothes rack and a low cabinet fell over. It kept getting stronger, and I started worrying about our belongings at home. Fortunately, apart from the motorcycle tipping over, the damage was minimal.”
Social media quickly filled with astonishing footage of landslides along the coast, cascading down the mountains and creating enormous clouds as they crashed into the sea.
This coastline, known for its narrow, winding roads and tunnels carved through rock, has trapped dozens of individuals. While popular among tourists for its breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean from the mountains, it is also recognized for its treacherous conditions, particularly the risk of landslides.
Rescue efforts to reach the 77 people trapped in the Jinwen and Qingshui tunnels in Hualien continued throughout the night. Images depict the road outside the Qingshui tunnel simply collapsing, highlighting the severity of the situation.
President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized the importance of the government ensuring the accuracy of information and providing timely assistance to those in need to instill a sense of safety and reassurance among the people.
Taiwan’s foreign office expressed gratitude for the offers of aid from allies and friends such as Japan and Paraguay.
Additionally, Taiwan’s agency responsible for engagements with China, the Mainland Affairs Council, acknowledged China’s concern but clarified that no assistance would be requested from that side. This statement underscores the complex relationship between Taiwan and China, with Beijing claiming sovereignty over the self-governed island while Taiwan maintains its distinct identity.
While earthquakes are not uncommon in Taiwan, both locals and long-term residents of Taipei have described this recent earthquake as the strongest they have experienced in decades.
The most recent major earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, struck in September 1999, resulting in the loss of 2,400 lives and the destruction of 5,000 buildings.
