A powerful earthquake disrupted the streets of Taiwan on April 3, starting at 7:58 a.m. With a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale, this quake, the strongest in 25 years, resulted in at least 17 deaths and over 1,000 injuries.
The earthquake originated on the east coast of Taiwan, approximately 11 miles south of Hualien, at a depth of 34.8 kilometers. It triggered numerous landslides and caused multiple buildings to collapse or tilt severely, damaging over 100 structures. Many people found themselves trapped beneath debris, awaiting rescue, while others endured hours without electricity. In the aftermath, countries, including Thailand and Lithuania, stepped forward with donations for post-quake relief and reconstruction.
Despite the earthquake’s severity, its impact has been notably less devastating than similar events in Taiwan’s past. Situated within the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an area known for frequent seismic activity, Taiwan is no stranger to big natural disasters such as this one. In 1999, Taiwan was hit with a quake of similar severity with a magnitude of 7.3 that claimed 2,400 lives and left around 100,000 injured.
In the years following that disaster, Taiwan has prioritized strengthening its infrastructure to better withstand earthquakes. Seismologist and Missouri University of Science and Technology professor Stephen Gao praised Taiwan’s readiness, “Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness is among the most advanced in the world. The island has implemented strict building codes, a world-class seismological network, and widespread public education campaigns on earthquake safety.”
Precautions such as these have proven useful, given the low number of casualties the earthquake generated. Hours after the quake, the train service near the epicenter had already been reinstated, and citizens continued their daily commutes as usual.
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