Taiwan’s Capital Shaken by Strong Earthquake

On Monday, Taiwan’s capital experienced a significant earthquake, as reported by AFP staff. The Central Weather Administration identified it as a magnitude-5.5 tremor originating in eastern Hualien, the same region as the epicenter of a magnitude-7.4 quake on April 3. The earlier quake resulted in landslides that obstructed roads and inflicted severe damage to buildings in Hualien city.

The April 3 earthquake claimed at least 17 lives, with recovery efforts ongoing until April 13 when the latest body was found in a quarry. The tremor on Monday occurred around 5:08 pm local time and was felt in Taipei. The US Geological Survey recorded it as a 5.3 magnitude quake with a depth of 8.9 kilometers. Residents described it as one of the strongest tremors or aftershocks since the previous major event.

Responding swiftly, Hualien’s fire department dispatched teams to assess any potential damage caused by the earthquake. They assured the public of continued monitoring and timely reporting on the situation. Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location at the convergence of two tectonic plates. Following the April 3 quake, numerous aftershocks occurred, triggering rockfalls in Hualien.

The April 3 earthquake was the most severe in Taiwan since 1999, when a magnitude-7.6 quake struck, claiming the lives of 2,400 people in the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s history. However, the impact of the April 3 quake was mitigated by stricter building regulations and heightened public awareness of disaster preparedness, which included enhanced seismic requirements in building codes. These measures likely prevented a more catastrophic outcome.

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