Strong Earthquake Strikes Taiwan, Residents Warned of Aftershocks

TAIPEI, Taiwan (AP) — A 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan on Saturday night, sending tremors across the island.

The earthquake hit at 11:05 p.m. local time, with its epicenter located 32 kilometers (20 miles) east of the coastal city of Yilan. Residents reported shaking buildings in several areas, including the capital city of Taipei.

A resident from Yilan County described the frightening experience, saying, “The building shook first up and down, then side to side. It continued shaking for a while. I ran outside, but most people stayed in. I was scared.”

The quake had a depth of 70 kilometers (43 miles), and initial reports indicated no widespread damage or casualties. Local television showed hanging TVs swaying in an office building, along with cleaning products spilled and bottles broken in a nearby supermarket.

Taiwan’s President William Lai urged residents to remain vigilant for possible aftershocks through a social media post.

Meanwhile, as the situation unfolded, approximately 3,000 homes in Yilan briefly lost electricity, according to Taiwan Power Company. The Taipei city government reported no significant damages immediately after the quake, except for isolated cases of gas and water leaks and minor building damage.

Authorities noted a discrepancy in the earthquake’s magnitude, with Taiwan’s officials measuring it at 7.0 while the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed it at 6.6 due to different seismological measurement methods.

Public transportation experienced disruptions, with delays reported on the high-speed rail system while inspections were ongoing. Regular train services also paused temporarily as a precaution. By Sunday, services returned to normal after safety inspections were completed.

Emergency alerts also activated on numerous mobile phones, especially in northern Taiwan. Officials warned that aftershocks could lead to additional quakes with magnitudes ranging from 5.5 to 6.0 within the week, advising residents to stay alert.

In the past decade, several earthquakes with magnitudes of 6.6 or higher have occurred within 300 kilometers of this epicenter, including a devastating 7.4 magnitude quake that hit Hualien in April 2024, resulting in at least 19 fatalities and significant structural damage.