6.1 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Southeastern Taiwan, No Damage Reported

Post by : Saif Nasser

A strong earthquake measuring 6.1 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan’s southeastern coastal county of Taitung on Wednesday. The quake, reported by Taiwan’s weather administration, had a depth of 11.9 km (7.39 miles).

Buildings in the capital, Taipei, were shaken, but authorities said there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties. The National Fire Agency confirmed that no major incidents have been reported across the island so far.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the country’s leading chipmaker, said the earthquake did not reach the level required to evacuate factories. Operations at its facilities continued normally.

Taiwan is located near the junction of two tectonic plates, making it prone to earthquakes. The island has experienced devastating earthquakes in the past, including a 7.3 magnitude quake in 1999 that killed over 2,000 people, and a 6.4 magnitude quake in southern Taiwan in 2016 that killed more than 100 people.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and have urged residents to remain alert for any aftershocks. Emergency services are on standby in Taitung and surrounding areas to respond quickly if needed.

Despite the quake’s strength, early reports suggest that Taiwan’s buildings and infrastructure withstood the tremor without significant impact, highlighting the country’s preparedness for seismic events.