Taiwan Earthquake Triggers Minor Damage and Brief Power Outages Across Yilan

A strong Taiwan earthquake struck off the northeast coast on Saturday. It hit near Yilan at around 32 km offshore. It reached magnitude 7.0 and shook large parts of the island. Officials said no major damage was found. They warned people to stay alert as aftershocks may follow.

The quake was deep and offshore, so the impact was low. But many people in Taipei felt sharp shaking. Some small leaks, short outages, and minor structural issues were reported. Authorities said response teams moved fast and restored most services.

Taiwan Earthquake Prompts Safety Checks and Fast Response

According to Reuters, the quake reached a depth of about 73 km. This reduced the surface impact. Still, more than 3,000 homes in Yilan lost power for a short time. Taiwan Power Company said crews restored service soon after.

TSMC also reacted to the quake. The company briefly evacuated some staff at its Hsinchu sites. This happened after automatic safety triggers activated. Workers later returned once checks were done. Operations stayed normal for most facilities.

Officials in Taipei said most buildings held up well. Some gas and water leaks were found. These were small and fixed quickly. Rescue teams stayed on standby as a precaution.

The weather agency said people should expect aftershocks. These may reach between magnitude 5.5 and 6.0. They said the risk of heavy damage is low due to the quake’s depth.

Impact on Residents and Long-Term Preparedness

Taiwan sits between major tectonic plates. This makes the island prone to strong quakes. Past events caused heavy losses. The memory of the 1999 and 2016 quakes remains strong.

This new Taiwan earthquake did not cause major harm. But it reminded people of the island’s constant risk. Officials said safety rules and building codes helped limit damage. They urged people to stay aware and follow emergency alerts.

Electric crews, rescue units, and local teams will keep monitoring the area. Small disruptions may continue if aftershocks strike. For now, life has mostly returned to normal in Yilan and Taipei.

The Taiwan earthquake caused brief outages and minor issues, but the island stayed stable. Strong safety systems and fast response helped reduce impact.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: What caused the Taiwan earthquake?

The quake came from movement between major tectonic plates near Taiwan. The island often faces such quakes. This one struck offshore, which lowered the impact.

Q2: How strong was the earthquake?

It reached magnitude 7.0. It was deep and about 73 km below the surface. This helped reduce major damage.

Q3: Was Taipei affected?

Yes, people in Taipei felt strong shaking. Buildings moved but stayed safe. Only small leaks and minor issues were reported.

Q4: Did power outages happen?

Yes, over 3,000 homes in Yilan lost power for a short time. Crews restored service soon after.

Q5: Were factories or tech companies impacted?

TSMC evacuated a few staff as a safety step. Workers later returned. Most operations stayed normal.

Trusted Sources: Reuters, AP News, BBC News