Taiwan shook by Strongest Earthquake in 25 Years, Leaving Many Trapped
Taiwan was struck by a devastating 7.2-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday morning, the strongest to hit the island in the past 25 years. The powerful quake has caused numerous building collapses, extensive power disruptions, and left many people trapped under the rubble.
According to the latest reports from authorities, at least seven people have been confirmed dead, while 77 individuals remain trapped in tunnels and collapsed buildings. The earthquake’s impact has been far-reaching, with over 700 people reported injured across various regions.
The Taiwan Central Weather Administration (CWA) has confirmed that the quake’s epicenter was extremely shallow and located close to land, resulting from movement in the Philippine Sea plate. The agency further stated that the tremors were likely felt strongly in Taipei, the capital city, due to the “basin effect,” a phenomenon where seismic waves become trapped in soft ground, amplifying their impact.
Taiwan Shook by Earthquake, situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region highly prone to seismic activity, has experienced its fair share of earthquakes. However, the CWA has warned that aftershocks between magnitudes 6.5 and 7 may occur over the next four days, posing additional risks to the affected areas.
The aftermath of the quake has been captured in harrowing images and videos, showing buildings tilted at precarious angles and rescuers using ladders to assist trapped individuals through windows. Some subway systems were temporarily halted but have since resumed operations, while over 87,000 households experienced power outages, according to the island’s electricity supplier.
Taiwan’s worst earthquake on record occurred in 1999, when a 7.7-magnitude tremor struck, resulting in 2,400 fatalities, injuring around 100,000 people, and destroying thousands of buildings. The current situation serves as a grim reminder of the island’s vulnerability to seismic events and the need for robust disaster preparedness measures.
As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on locating and safely extracting those trapped in the collapsed structures, while also assessing the full extent of the damage and addressing the immediate needs of those affected. The resilience of the Taiwanese people will undoubtedly be tested in the aftermath of this powerful earthquake, but their determination to recover and rebuild is unwavering.
Taiwan earthquake: From trembling bridges to houses collapsing, videos and photos capture the nation’s strongest quake in 25 years Published in economic times India times.