Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, experienced a series of earthquakes overnight and into early Tuesday, causing buildings to sway and residents to brace for further tremors. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that the most significant quake was a magnitude-6.3, originating in eastern Hualien. The first strong quake struck on Monday at around 5:08 pm local time (0908 GMT), with a magnitude of 5.5, and was felt across Taipei.
Following the initial quake, a series of aftershocks and additional tremors struck the region. At around 2:30 am (1830 GMT), two intense tremors hit in quick succession, startling residents and visitors alike. The first tremor, measuring a magnitude-6.0, occurred at 2:26 am, with a magnitude-6.3 quake following six minutes later.
Olivier Bonifacio, a tourist staying in Taipei’s Da’an district, described the experience to AFP: “I was washing my hands, and suddenly felt what I thought was vertigo.” Realizing it was an aftershock, he said, “I stepped into my room and noticed the building was rocking and I heard the desk creak.”
AFP reporters noted that during the quakes, buildings visibly swayed, and glass panels in bathrooms and windows made noticeable noises as the island shook. The US Geological Survey reported similar readings for the quakes, with the first recorded at a magnitude-6.1 and the second at a magnitude-6.0.
The Hualien region, which experienced the quakes’ epicenter, is no stranger to seismic activity. On April 3, a magnitude-7.4 quake hit the area, causing landslides that blocked roads and significantly damaging buildings in Hualien City. The disaster claimed at least 17 lives, with the latest body found in a quarry on April 13.
Hualien’s fire department responded quickly to the new tremors, dispatching teams to assess any potential disasters. As of 2:54 am, the fire department released a statement confirming no casualties had been reported following the latest quakes.
Taiwan sits at the junction of two tectonic plates, making it prone to frequent earthquakes. The severity of the April 3 quake and its aftermath has brought heightened attention to building safety and disaster preparedness. While the series of recent quakes did not cause significant damage or loss of life, the island remains vigilant in the face of its seismic risks.
