Taiwan's strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years damages buildings and causes a small tsunami
Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush Wednesday, damaging buildings and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. There were no immediate reports of deaths or injuries, and the tsunami threat largely passed about two hours later.
A five-story building in the lightly populated southeastern coastal city of Hualien near the epicenter appeared heavily damaged, collapsing its first floor and leaving the rest leaning at a 45-degree angle. In the capital, tiles fell from older buildings and within some newer office complexes, while debris fell from some building sites. Schools evacuated their students to sports fields, equipping them with yellow safety helmets.
Some also covered themselves with textbooks to guard against falling objects as aftershocks continued. Train service was suspended across the island of 23 million people, as was subway service in Taipei, where a newly constructed above-ground line partially separated. The national legislature, a converted school built before World War II, also had damage to walls and ceilings. (AP)
Taiwan President conveys gratitude to PM Modi over his message of solidarity to quake-hit people
Shortly after Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed solidarity with the people of quake-hit Taiwan, its President Tsai Ing-wen expressed deep gratitude to him for the support at the "challenging time", saying it means a "great deal" to the Taiwanese people.
Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te also thanked Modi saying the support and solidarity of the Indian prime minister are a source of strength to the people of Taiwan during these trying times.
monthly limit of free stories.
with an Express account.
"We stand in solidarity with the resilient people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath and recover from it," Modi said in perhaps the first such message to Taiwan.
TSMC halts work at construction sites in Taiwan after earthquake
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world's biggest contract chipmaker, said on Wednesday it has suspended work at its construction sites in Taiwan as a fallout of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake. The company said it was evaluating the impact of the quake and will resume operations after inspections.
Watch | Why is Taiwan prone to earthquakes?
Taiwanese authorities say 70 miners are trapped in 2 mines after quake
Taiwan's national fire agency says 70 miners are trapped in two coal mines in Hualien County after a powerful earthquake rocked the island. Sixty-four people were trapped in one coal mine, and six people were in a different mine, the agency said.
Massive earthquake hits Taiwan: What is the Ring of Fire?
Taiwan is prone to earthquakes as it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire” — where 90% of the world’s earthquakes take place. The island and its surrounding waters have registered about 2,000 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater since 1980, and more than 100 earthquakes with a magnitude above 5.5, according to the USGS, a report by The Associated Press said.
The Ring of Fire traces the meeting points of numerous tectonic plates, including the Eurasian, North American, Juan de Fuca, Cocos, Caribbean, Nazca, Antarctic, Indian, Australian, Philippine, and other smaller plates, which all encircle the large Pacific Plate, according to a report by National Geographic.
Read more here
Taiwan Earthquake Today LIVE Updates: 70 miners trapped in coal mines
Taiwanese authorities said 70 miners are trapped in two coal mines after a powerful earthquake rocked the island.
Watch | Indian fellow In Taipei shares experience of earthquake
Living with earthquakes
Taiwan and its surrounding waters have registered about 2,000 earthquakes with a magnitude of 4.0 or greater since 1980, and more than 100 earthquakes with a magnitude above 5.5, according to the USGS.
The island’s worst quake in recent years struck on Sept. 21, 1999, with a magnitude of 7.7. It caused 2,400 deaths, injured around 100,000 and destroyed thousands of buildings.The last deadly quake to strike Hualien County occurred in 2018, collapsing a historic hotel and other buildings.
“This high level of seismic activity will unfortunately continue for millions of years to come,” said Gao. “This underscores the importance of preparedness and resilience in the face of ongoing seismic risks.”
How well-equipped is Taiwan to handle quakes?
Wednesday’s earthquake measured 7.2, according to Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency, while he U.S. Geological Survey put it at 7.4. It damaged several buildings in Hualien but caused only minor losses in the capital Taipei despite being strongly felt there.
The earthquake hit in the middle of the morning rush hour yet only slightly derailed the regular commute. Just minutes later, parents were again walking their children to school and workers driving to offices.“Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world,” said Stephen Gao, a seismologist and professor at Missouri University of Science and Technology.
“The island has implemented strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety.”
The government continually revises the level of quake resistance required of new and existing buildings — which may increase construction costs — and offers subsidies to residents willing to check their buildings’ quake resistance.
Why is Taiwan so exposed to earthquakes?
Taiwan lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur.
The area is particularly vulnerable to temblors due to the tension accumulated from the interactions of two tectonic plates, the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, which may lead to sudden releases in the form of earthquakes.
The region’s mountainous landscape can magnify the ground shaking, leading to landslides. Several such landslides occurred on Taiwan’s eastern coast near the epicenter of Wednesday's quake near eastern Hualien County, when falling debris hit tunnels and highways, crushing vehicles and causing several deaths.
Asian stocks slide as earthquake rocks Taiwan
Asian stocks led emerging markets lower as Taiwan's biggest earthquake in at least 25 years sparked concerns about possible disruptions to the chip-making industry.
Taiwan accounts for nearly 90% of production for chipmaker TSMC and while its plants are mostly on the opposite coast from the epicentre, they are full of fragile equipment that's crucial to turning out chips for global firms.
TSMC slid 1.3% by close, while Taiwan's benchmark index was down 0.6%. "When you have a natural disaster like this, the market's first reaction is generally negative," Ipek Ozkardeskaya, a senior market analyst at Swissquote Bank said. "The sell-off that's due to the earthquake is probably going to remain short-term."
Watch | India Taipei Association issues urgent advisory following Taiwan earthquake tragedy
Following the devastating earthquake in Taiwan, the India Taipei Association issues an urgent advisory for Indian nationals, setting up an emergency helpline for assistance. Residents have been urged to follow local authorities' advisories for safety.
Indian authorities actively monitoring, assisting nationals, says Indian scholar in Taipei
Indian authorities in Taiwan are monitoring the situation and are actively disseminating information for its nationals in the island country after a powerful 7.4 Ritcher scale magnitude earthquake struck off its east coast on Wednesday morning, according to Indian scholar Sana Hashmi who was in Taipei when the quake hit.
Speaking to ANI, Hashmi, who is a postdoctoral fellow at the Taiwan Asia Exchange Foundation said that the Indian authorities in Taiwan have actively responded to the situation to safeguard its nationals in the country, issued an advisory for them and are also in touch with them.
"I'm also reading in the news that we might also see and experience aftershocks with greater intensity in the coming days. So I think the government is definitely preparing for it, and people are also prepared. This might also happen and there's a lot of awareness that is being spread right now. WhatsApp groups are being activated... The government is being very, very active in disseminating information," she said. (ANI)
Semiconductor giant TSMC evacuates production lines
A major supplier of chips to Apple and Nvidia, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, said it had evacuated some fabrication plants and safety systems were operating normally.
"To ensure the safety of personnel, some fabs were evacuated according to company procedure," the semiconductor giant said in a statement, adding later that the employees had begun to return to work. (Reuters)
Taiwan Earthquake Today Live Updates: 4 dead, 700+ injured
Taiwan's government said four people had died in the mountainous, sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien near where the epicentre was, with 711 injured, reported Reuters. The fire department said 77 people remained trapped, some in collapsed buildings in Hualien.
Watch | Taiwan rocked by 7.2 magnitude earthquake, triggers tsunami warning
A powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, the strongest tremor in at least 25 years, causing buildings to shake and prompting a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines.
India sets up helpline for national in Taiwan
The India Taipei Association has set up a helpline for assistance, guidance, or clarification to all Indian nationals living in Taiwan. Affected people can reach out via phone at 0905247906 and email at ad.ita@mea.gov.in
All Indian nationals are further requested to follow advisories issued by the local authorities, the association said in a statement on X.
Asian stocks dip with Taiwan shares down after earthquake
Most stocks in emerging Asian markets fell today, with Taiwan's benchmark index declining after a powerful earthquake struck the island, while currencies were constrained by a sturdy US dollar following a strong run of economic data.
The news sent stocks in Taipei falling 0.4%, from a record high close in the previous session and weighed on shares of global chip companies. Semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co's shares dropped 1%. Equities in Seoul plunged 1.4% to a two-week low, dragged down by chip and battery stocks. Those in Manila, Singapore and Jakarta fell between 0.6% and 1%. (Reuters)
Buildings collapse as strongest earthquake in 25 years hits Taiwan
According to footage from Taiwan television stations, some buildings collapsed in Hualien, near the quake’s epicentre. It could be felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou and Ningde in China’s Fujian province, as well as Shanghai, the report stated.
A five-story building in lightly populated Hualien appeared heavily damaged, collapsing its first floor and leaving the rest leaning at a 45-degree angle. In the capital, Taipei, tiles fell from older buildings and within some newer office complexes, news agency PTI reported. (Read more)
Watch | Building partly collapses after quake in Taiwan
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan, the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years. Local television stations showed footage of some collapsed buildings in the eastern county of Hualien, near the quake's epicenter.
Taiwan Earthquake Today Live Updates: Death toll climbs to 4
The number of people killed in today's early morning earthquake has been revised to four.
Taiwan's national fire agency said four people died in Hualien County and at least 57 were injured in the quake that struck just before 5.30 am IST, reported Reuters. The local United Daily News reported three hikers died in rockslides in Taroko National Park near the offshore epicentre, it added.
Japan ready to give assistance to Taiwan after quake, says PM Kishida
Japan stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to Taiwan following a massive earthquake on Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida posted on his official account on X.
Kishida said on the social media platform that he was deeply saddened to hear about the earthquake and referred to Taiwan as Japan's "neighbour across the sea".
Watch | People caught on bridge as quake hits Taiwan
A video clip of commuters being caught on a bridge as the 7.2 magnitude quake hit Taiwan has been shared on social media.
Taiwan Earthquake Today Live Updates: What we know so far
? A 7.2 magnitude earthquake that rocked Taiwan at around 5.30 am IST today.
? The epicenter of the quake was 25 km south-southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5 km, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration.
? 4 people killed, 50 injured in the quake.
? 34 aftershocks were noted till 8 am IST. CWA warned that more aftershocks of 6.5 to 7 magnitude can be expected over the next 3 to 4 days.
? The quake was shallow and close to land, increasing the chances of damage.
? MRT and high-speed rail services resume after temporary suspension.
? Japan withdraws the tsunami warning that was initially issued.
Watch | Strong earthquake rocks Taiwan, collapsing buildings, causing a tsunami
A powerful earthquake rocked the entire island of Taiwan early Wednesday, collapsing buildings in a southern city and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on Japanese islands.
Taiwanese chipmaker says evacuated staff beginning to return to work
Taiwanese chipmaker TSMC said on Wednesday that all its personnel were safe, and those who were evacuated are beginning to return to their workplaces following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake earlier in the day, reports Reuters.
Just in
Japan lifts all tsunami advisories issued after earthquake near Taiwan, reports Reuters quoting JMA.
Watch | City shot of Taipei after 7.2 magnitude earthquake hits
In this live feed by Reuters, a bird's eye view of Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, is seen. The island nation was hit by a strong 7.2 magnitude earthquake earlier this morning.
Taiwan's FPCC shuts Mailiao refinery port after quake, says report
Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical has stopped operations at its port at the Mailiao refinery as a precautionary measure following an earthquake, two people with knowledge of the matter said.
The company is expected to resume operations on Wednesday afternoon, they added. FPCC could not be immediately reached for comment.
One person has died and more than 50 were injured after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake hit the island's east coast. (Reuters)