TAIPEI – A strong earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Wednesday evening, rattling buildings across the island and prompting emergency alerts, though officials said there were no immediate reports of serious damage or casualties.
The quake, which occurred at 5:47 p.m. local time, registered a magnitude of 6.1, according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, and struck at a relatively shallow depth of 11.9 kilometers. The United States Geological Survey measured the tremor slightly lower, at magnitude 6.0, a difference that seismologists say is common in early assessments.
Buildings Sway in Taipei; Alerts Issued Across Major Cities
The earthquake was widely felt, including in Taipei, where office towers and apartment buildings swayed for several seconds, according to local media and eyewitness accounts. Authorities issued earthquake alerts for major population centers including Kaohsiung, Taichung, and Tainan.
The strongest shaking—rated four on Taiwan’s seven-tier intensity scale—was recorded in Hualien and Pingtung, the Central Weather Administration said.
No Transport Damage; Chipmaker Operations Uninterrupted
Taiwan’s National Fire Agency reported that inspections of major transport networks showed no signs of damage. High-speed rail and metro systems continued operating normally.
The island’s most important technology manufacturer, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, said the quake did not meet thresholds requiring factory evacuations. The company added that production facilities across the island remained operating, easing concerns about potential disruptions to global semiconductor supply chains.
Localized Disruptions, No Casualties Reported
Television footage from eastern Taiwan showed limited disruption. In Taitung, products were seen falling from supermarket shelves and breaking, though officials said such incidents appeared isolated. As of late Wednesday evening, no injuries or major structural damage had been confirmed.
A Familiar Risk on a Seismically Active Island
Taiwan sits along the boundary of two tectonic plates, making earthquakes a frequent reality. In recent decades, the island has experienced devastating quakes, including a 7.3-magnitude disaster in 1999 that killed more than 2,000 people, and a 2016 earthquake in southern Taiwan that claimed more than 100 lives.
Wednesday’s tremor, while powerful enough to be felt nationwide, appeared to spare the island from a repeat of those tragedies—underscoring both the persistent seismic risk and the advances Taiwan has made in preparedness, building standards and emergency response. (hb)