A powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northeastern coast of Taiwan on Saturday, centered approximately 32 km from Yilan. Despite the high magnitude, early reports indicate that major structural damage and casualties have been avoided, largely due to the quake's significant depth of 73 km.
The tremors were felt across the entire island, including the capital, Taipei, where buildings swayed significantly.
Over 3,000 homes in Yilan experienced brief power outages. Taipei authorities reported isolated incidents of gas and water leaks, alongside minor cracks in some buildings.
Global chip giant TSMC briefly evacuated staff from certain northern facilities in Hsinchu Science Park as a precaution. Employees have since returned to their posts, and operations remain stable.
President Lai Ching-te assured the public that the situation is under control but urged citizens to remain vigilant.
The Central Weather Administration has categorized the intensity as "level four," warning of potential minor damage. Experts have advised the population to prepare for aftershocks ranging from 5.5 to 6.0 magnitude over the next 24 hours.
Taiwan's location at the junction of two tectonic plates makes it highly seismically active. While this event was offshore and deep, it serves as a reminder of the island's vulnerability, following devastating historical quakes in 1999 and 2016.
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