Taiwan Shaken by Series of Earthquakes, Frightened Residents Up Overnight
Taiwan was rattled by a series of earthquakes on Monday and early Tuesday, with the strongest measuring a magnitude of 6.3. The tremors, which were aftershocks from a deadly quake three weeks ago, partially toppled four buildings and left residents in a state of fear and uncertainty.
The first tremor, a 5.5 magnitude quake, struck Hualien County on Taiwan’s east coast just after 5 p.m. local time on Monday. This was followed by a series of smaller tremors in the same area, causing panic among residents. Four buildings in Hualien County partially collapsed, leading to evacuations and the closure of schools and offices in the county as a precaution.
Despite the significant impact of the earthquakes, no injuries or deaths were reported by Tuesday morning. However, the ongoing threat of aftershocks has left residents on edge, with many struggling to cope with the constant fear and uncertainty.
According to Wu Chien-fu, the director of the Taiwanese Central Weather Administration’s Seismological Center, the quakes were aftershocks from the magnitude 7.4 quake that struck the same area three weeks ago. The epicenter of both earthquakes was in Hualien County, adding to the anxiety and stress felt by residents.
By Tuesday morning, more than 180 shocks had been recorded in the previous 24 hours, with the strongest measuring a magnitude of 6.3. The continuous tremors have left residents like Chen Mei-hui, a retired saleswoman in Hualien, feeling anxious and unsettled.
“I have been unable to sleep well since the earthquake this month,” Chen said. “We can only pray that our house is strong enough to get us through this difficult time.”
The situation in Taiwan remains tense as residents brace themselves for more aftershocks and the possibility of further damage. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and providing support to those affected by the earthquakes.
