Devastating Earthquake Strikes Taiwan, Leaving Seven Dead and Widespread Damage

3, Taiwan was rocked by its strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years, striking just before 8 a.m. during the morning rush hour. The quake, with magnitudes ranging from 7.2 to 7.4, caused significant damage to buildings, highways, and infrastructure across the island. In Taipei, tiles fell from older buildings, and schools evacuated students to safety, while a five-story building in Hualien County collapsed, leaving seven people dead and many injured.

Additionally, three hikers died in rockslides in Taroko National Park. The earthquake triggered landslides, damaged roads and bridges, and disrupted train and subway services. Although the initial panic subsided, the economic impact, especially on Taiwan’s high-tech industry, remains uncertain. Despite Taiwan’s advanced earthquake preparedness measures, the devastation underscores the ongoing vulnerability of the island nation to seismic events due to its location along the Pacific “Ring of Fire.”