A powerful earthquake struck Taiwan, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude according to Taiwan’s measurements and 7.4 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, was the strongest to hit the island in 25 years.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, rescuers worked tirelessly to search for dozens of people who were still trapped or out of contact. The eastern coastal city of Hualien, near the epicenter, bore the brunt of the damage, with 48 residential buildings left in ruins. Some buildings were left tilted at precarious angles, their ground floors crushed.
The quake claimed the lives of nine people, with at least four of the fatalities occurring inside Taroko National Park, a popular tourist destination known for its stunning canyons and cliffs. More than 1,000 people were injured in the disaster.
As rescue efforts continued, nearly 150 people were reported to be either trapped or out of contact, with some stranded in the park and others stuck in damaged buildings. The quake also caused landslides, damaged roads, bridges, and tunnels, and left the national legislature and parts of Taipei’s main airport with minor damage.
Taiwan, a country accustomed to seismic activity, has stringent construction requirements to ensure buildings are quake-resistant. The economic impact of the quake is still unknown, but the island’s status as a leading manufacturer of high-tech items makes it particularly vulnerable to such natural disasters.
Hualien, which was last hit by a deadly quake in 2018, is no stranger to seismic events. However, the resilience of the Taiwanese people and the swift response of rescue teams offer hope for recovery in the face of this latest tragedy.