Taiwan's emergency preparedness measures, which have been in place since a devastating earthquake in 1999, have once again proven effective as a cluster of earthquakes shook the country. The strongest earthquake in the cluster had a magnitude of 6.1, and while there were no casualties reported, two multi-story buildings that had been evacuated following a magnitude 7.4 quake earlier this month were further damaged. The largest earthquakes in the cluster were magnitude 6.0 and 6.3.
Taiwan's strict construction standards and public education campaigns about earthquakes have played a crucial role in minimizing the impact of these earthquakes. The Full Hotel in downtown Hualien partially collapsed, and the nearby Tong Shuai Building was marked for demolition. As a precautionary measure, schools and offices in Hualien and the surrounding county were ordered closed.
The recent cluster of earthquakes serves as a reminder of the constant threat Taiwan faces from natural disasters. The country's experience and lessons learned from past disasters have enabled it to react quickly and effectively in times of crisis. By prioritizing building standards, early warning systems, and public awareness, Taiwan continues to set an example for other regions prone to earthquakes and natural disasters.
Taiwan's quake-hit county of Hualien has been rattled by dozens of aftershocks, but only minor damage was reported and no casualties. Hualien was hit by a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 3, killing at least 14 people. There have been more than 1000 aftershocks since. Buildings shook across large parts of northern, eastern, and western Taiwan, including in the capital Taipei. The largest quake measured a 6.3 magnitude. The spate of earthquakes starting on Monday afternoon, which numbered more than 200, were aftershocks from the April 3 quake. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen called on people to avoid the mountains and stay alert. The Hualien fire department reported further damage to two buildings that were already uninhabited after being damaged on April 3. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) said some staff at a small number of factories were evacuated, but operations were not expected to be impacted. Road closings and rockfalls were reported in mountainous Hualien county, leading to the suspension of work and school for the day. Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes. In 2016, more than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan, and in 1999, a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2000 people.
A building in Taiwan has collapsed due to aftershocks. The incident occurred in Taiwan. The exact date and time of the collapse are not provided in the article. No specific names or numbers are mentioned in the article. The building collapse is believed to be a result of the recent cluster of earthquakes that have been rattling Taiwan's quake-hit county of Hualien. The collapse occurred in downtown Hualien, where the Full Hotel partially collapsed and the nearby Tong Shuai Building was marked for demolition. There were no casualties reported in the incident.
T.H. Schee, a survivor of Taiwan's most powerful earthquakes, shares lessons on disaster preparedness and civil defense. The episode discusses the Hualien earthquake in April 2024 and the Nantou earthquake in September 1999. The 921 earthquake in Nantou resulted in over 2,400 deaths and left over 100,000 people homeless. The Hualien earthquake had a death toll of around 13 at the time of the interview. The discussion covers the damage caused by the earthquakes, the formation of volunteer groups to protect people, changes in building codes and laws regarding disaster response, and the importance of preparedness and checking buildings after an earthquake. It also mentions the role of organizations like the Tzu Chi Foundation in providing support to those affected by earthquakes. The episode highlights the improvements in Taiwan's disaster response and civil defense since the 921 earthquake, including legal reforms and collaboration with civil society. It also mentions the impact of earthquakes on businesses, such as the shutdown of TSMC and the stock market in 1999. The episode provides do's and don'ts after an earthquake and emphasizes the importance of being prepared with essentials like flashlights, whistles, and bottled water. It also compares the notification systems for earthquakes in Taiwan and New York. The episode concludes with information on how to donate to Hualien earthquake relief efforts. [16c80021]