A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6 struck southern Taiwan, leaving nearly 30 people injured and raising concerns about the island’s disaster preparedness. The earthquake, which occurred at 12:17 a.m. local time (1600 GMT Monday), is a reminder of the region’s seismic activity and the need for robust emergency response systems.
The epicenter was located about 12 km (7.6 miles) from Yujing, near Tainan, in eastern Taiwan. The earthquake occurred approximately 10 kilometers below the surface, making it a shallow quake.
While it’s fortunate that no fatalities have been reported, 27 people were injured, and several landslides and rockfalls triggered by the earthquake have caused significant blockages on highways and roads. The majority of injuries, 16, were reported in Tainan City, with at least 27 people injured in total, according to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Welfare.
According to Taiwan’s fire department, 15 people were sent to the hospital for minor injuries. Among them were six people, including one child, who were rescued from a collapsed house in Nanxi District, Tainan City. The Zhuwei bridge on a provincial highway was reported to be damaged.
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Taiwan has a history of devastating earthquakes. On April 20, 2024, a magnitude 7.4 quake hit the island’s mountainous eastern coast of Hualien, killing at least 13 people and injuring more than 1,000 others. That earthquake caused severe damage, including the collapse of multi-story buildings.
Taiwan lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” the line of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean where most of the world’s earthquakes occur, which makes it more prudent for the government of Taiwan and citizens to prioritize disaster preparedness and invest in robust emergency response systems.
Taiwan must take a proactive approach to mitigating the risks associated with natural disasters rather than simply reacting to them. By taking a proactive approach to disaster preparedness, Taiwan can reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities and minimize the economic impact of natural disasters.
