Magnitude 6.4 Earthquake Hits Taiwan: Landslides and Collapses Hit Island, Injuring 26

The island of Taiwan was shaken by a violent earthquake of magnitude 6.4 in the night between 20 and 21 January, with its epicenter in the south of the island, in the province of Chiayi. The seismic event caused 26 injuries and 50 people were isolated in the village of Xixing, in the district of Dapu, an area close to the epicenter of the earthquake. The aftershocks that followed worsened the situation, with significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Earthquake: Damage and landslides in southern Taiwan cities

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Health updates, the intensity of the earthquake caused landslides and the collapse of ceilings and walls in many homes, especially in Nanxi, Tainan and Kaohsiung districts. The main shocks were followed by more than 50 aftershocks, which further aggravated the damage. In particular, theThe epicenter of the earthquake was located 12 kilometers north of the agricultural district of Yujing, known for its mango production, in the south of the island. The tremors occurred shortly after midnight, and several buildings suffered significant structural damage, including collapsed walls and roofs.

Rescue operations

The earthquake left 26 people injured, some of whom were rescued by rescuers while trapped in the rubble. In particular, in Nanxi, a district of Tainan, firefighters pulled three people, including a child, from a collapsed house. The injuries reported are mostly minor, but local health authorities have activated rescue operations to transport the injured to hospitals.

In Xixing Village, Dapu Area, 50 people were reported isolated, with difficulty reaching the area due to landslides and damage to road infrastructure. Rescue operations are ongoing, and rescuers are also busy evacuating other dangerous areas.

The effects in the cities 

In addition to Chiayi County, major damage occurred in Tainan and Kaohsiung cities, and Haituan Village in Taitung. Schools and offices were closed in some of these locations due to the damage. The safety of public facilities was also affected, and local authorities are working to assess the safety of buildings.

In an official statement, Taiwanese microchip giant TSMC confirmed that it has evacuated workers from its factories in the south and center of the island during the earthquake. Fortunately, no serious damage or injuries were reported at the production facilities, but the incident has given rise to reflection on the need to ensure safety also in industrial areas.

Frequent episodes

Taiwan is one of the most geologically active areas in the world, located near the junction of two tectonic plates: the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate. Earthquakes are frequent events on the island, with a series of tremors that hit it regularly. Today's earthquake is not an isolated event. In April 2024 alone, Taiwan was hit by a magnitude 7.4 earthquake that killed at least 17 people and caused extensive damage to buildings, especially in the eastern part of the island.

The updates of the shocks

Today, shortly after the main event, another shock of magnitude 5.3 was recorded in Taipei, the capital of the island. This second shock, although less powerful, has fueled further concerns, but fortunately no damage or casualties have been reported. The epicenter of the new shock was located at a depth of 8,9 km, 30 km south of Hualien City, and shook the area shortly after 17:00 local time.

The reactions 

The Taiwan government has activated a emergency plan and urged the population to remain safe, avoiding approaching the areas most affected by the earthquake. Rescuers continue to work in difficult conditions, trying to free people trapped in the rubble and restore roads interrupted by landslides.

The international community has expressed solidarity with Taiwan, and Many relief organizations have offered their support to help with the operations of recovery. While relief efforts are underway, local authorities are also monitoring the situation with particular attention to new tremors and the safety of public and private buildings.