A strong earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale hit off the northeastern coast of Taiwan late Saturday night, causing significant tremors across the island and prompting emergency evacuations at various high-tech manufacturing sites. The quake occurred at 11:05 PM local time, centered near Yilan County at a depth of 73 kilometers, as reported by the Central Weather Administration (CWA).
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the largest contract chipmaker in the world, evacuated a few of its facilities located in the Hsinchu science park. In a statement, TSMC emphasized that they are prioritizing the safety of their personnel, conducting outdoor evacuations, and checking headcounts as part of their emergency response. They assured that work safety systems at all facilities are functioning normally. This is crucial as semiconductor production requires precise conditions, and even small tremors can necessitate extensive recalibration of equipment.
Initial reports from local authorities, including the National Fire Agency and Taipei city government, indicate that there have been no major structural damages or casualties. However, the Taiwan Power Company confirmed that over 3,000 homes in Yilan experienced temporary power outages.
This earthquake adds to Taiwan’s recent history of seismic activity. Just a few days prior, a 6.1-magnitude quake shook southeastern Taitung County, affecting buildings as far as Taipei. In April 2024, a significant 7.4-magnitude quake, the strongest in 25 years, caused considerable damage in Hualien. A devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake in 1999 resulted in over 2,000 fatalities.
To ensure public safety, the CWA has issued alerts for major cities, including Taipei, Taichung, and Tainan, advising residents to stay alert for possible aftershocks. Thankfully, no tsunami warnings have been issued.
