More than 80 earthquakes, with the strongest measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale, struck the eastern coast of Taiwan starting from the evening of April 22 to the early morning of April 23.
According to Reuters, several of these earthquakes shook buildings in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.
Many buildings were damaged after consecutive earthquakes in Taiwan on the night of April 22 to the early morning of April 23. (Photo: Taiwan Fire Department).
The first significant earthquake, with a magnitude of 5.5, occurred around 5:08 PM local time on April 22, which is 4:08 PM Vietnam time, according to Taiwan’s weather administration.
This was followed by a series of aftershocks and additional earthquakes, including two strong quakes that occurred around 2:30 AM local time on April 23, or 1:30 AM Vietnam time.
Olivier Bonifacio, a tourist staying in Taipei, told AFP: “I was washing my hands when I suddenly felt dizzy.”
“I stepped into the room and noticed the building shaking and heard the sound of creaking furniture,” Bonifacio added, indicating that was when he realized it was another aftershock.
According to AFP, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck at 2:26 AM local time, followed by another earthquake measuring 6.3 six minutes later.
Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey recorded the first earthquake at a magnitude of 6.1, followed by a 6.0 magnitude quake.
The earthquakes were concentrated in Hualien County in eastern Taiwan, which is predominantly rural. In Hualien, at least 14 people lost their lives following a 7.2-magnitude earthquake on April 3.
Since then, Taiwan has experienced hundreds of aftershocks.
Early on April 23, the Hualien Fire Department reported that a hotel previously damaged on April 3 and no longer in operation was now leaning slightly to one side. However, there were no reports of any casualties.
Taiwan is located near the intersection of two tectonic plates and frequently experiences earthquakes.
More than 100 people died in a 2016 earthquake in southern Taiwan, while a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in 1999 resulted in over 2,000 fatalities.
