Rescuers in Hualien, Taiwan continued to search for dozens of people missing after the country’s strongest earthquake in 25 years. The earthquake caused significant damage to buildings, resulting in the death of nine people and leaving others stranded or sleeping in tents. Workers used heavy equipment to stabilize damaged buildings, with some structures tilting at precarious angles and ground floors crushed. While some residents remained in tents and the main road to the county remained closed, everyday life on the island was slowly returning to normal with the resumption of local rail service.
Taiwan is no stranger to earthquakes, and the population is well-prepared for such disasters. The country has strict construction requirements to ensure buildings are resistant to earthquakes. In the aftermath of this earthquake, many people were forced to sleep in tents fearing aftershocks, with one man recalling waiting for hours before returning to gather important belongings. Nearly 1,070 people were injured in the earthquake, and the death toll stood at nine, with one person found dead in a damaged building and several others in a quarry. The Taroko National Park also suffered casualties, with at least four people killed within its premises.
Over 690 people were either missing or stranded, including more than 600 individuals trapped inside a hotel called Silks Place Taroko. Authorities assured that the guests and employees were safe, with adequate food and water supplies. Efforts were underway to repair the roads leading to the hotel. Dozens of workers were also reported to be stranded in quarries due to blocked and damaged roads, although they were eventually freed by rescue teams. The quake caused landslides, damaged roads, bridges, and tunnels, resulting in economic losses that are still being assessed.
The earthquake measured 7.2 magnitude according to local authorities and 7.4 according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Buildings were visibly damaged with cracks, and local television footage showed rescue operations as neighbors and workers evacuated residents through windows. The Central Weather Administration recorded over 300 aftershocks following the initial quake. It remains uncertain the extent of economic losses caused by the earthquake, especially on Taiwan’s high-tech manufacturing industry. Hualien, where the earthquake struck, had previously experienced a deadly quake in 2018 which killed 17 people and destroyed a historic hotel. Taiwan’s worst quake in recent history was in 1999, causing thousands of deaths and destruction of buildings.
Overall, the earthquake in Hualien, Taiwan caused significant damage, loss of lives, and left many people missing or stranded. Despite the challenges faced, the local population and rescue teams mobilized quickly to provide assistance and support to those affected. With strict construction requirements in place and a population used to seismic events, Taiwan continues to recover from the aftermath of the earthquake, with a focus on rebuilding and restoring normalcy.
