In southern Taiwan, a powerful earthquake struck at 12:17 a.m. local time, marking the strongest seismic event in the region in a quarter of a century. The earthquake, initially recorded with a preliminary magnitude of 6, was later assessed by the US Geological Survey at a magnitude of 6.4. It occurred 12 kilometers north of Yujing at a depth of 10 kilometers. This significant geological event has led to hundreds of aftershocks, further unsettling the area.
The tremor sent ripples across the region, resulting in at least 15 people being hospitalized for minor injuries. Structural damage was evident, with the Zhuwei bridge on a provincial highway suffering considerable impacts. In Tainan city's Nanxi District, rescue teams successfully extracted six individuals, including a child, from a collapsed house.
Taiwan's geographical position along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" makes it susceptible to seismic activities. This line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean is notorious for being the site of most of the world's earthquakes. The recent quake follows a devastating magnitude 7.4 earthquake last April that hit Hualien on the island's eastern coast, which resulted in 13 fatalities and over 1,000 injuries.
The residents of southern Taiwan are no strangers to such natural events, yet this earthquake stands out due to its strength and the subsequent aftershocks that have continued to affect the region. Authorities remain vigilant as they monitor the situation and provide necessary aid and resources to those affected.
