Taiwan: New strong tremor – Dozens of aftershocks

A 6.3-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan at 02:32 a.m. on Tuesday (local time, 9:32 p.m. on Monday in Greece), according to the island’s meteorological service. The time of the earthquake that shook the residents was such that they jumped out of their beds in fear, while reports of any injuries are being monitored.

The epicenter of the earthquake is located in Hualien province (east) and the focal depth is estimated at 5.5 kilometers, it is clarified in a related announcement. Six minutes earlier there was a magnitude 6 earthquake, centered a few kilometers to the north. The two earthquakes were particularly felt in the capital Taipei, while there are no reports of major damage so far. Seismic activity is on the rise in Taiwan after the powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake that shook the island on April 3.

The first strong earthquake – measuring 5.5 – occurred on Monday around 5:08 p.m., according to the Central Weather Service. It was felt in the capital, Taipei.
A series of aftershocks and aftershocks followed, with two strong tremors following each other around 2:30 am. on Tuesday, according to AFP reporters and witnesses in Taipei.

Testimonies carried by the AFP

“I was washing my hands and suddenly I felt what I thought was vertigo,” said Olivier Bonifacio, a tourist living in Taipei’s Daan district. “I went into my room and noticed the building was shaking and heard the desk creaking,” he said, adding that he then realized it was another aftershock.

The Central Weather Service said a 6.0-magnitude quake had struck at 2:26 a.m., followed six minutes later by a 6.3-magnitude quake. The feeling was that “the glass plates of the bathrooms and windows made a noise” as the island shook, describe journalists, while Reuters speaks of more than 80 earthquakes.

The Hualien region was at the epicenter of a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck on April 3, triggering landslides that blocked roads around the mountainous region, while buildings in the main city of Hualien were severely damaged. At least 17 people were killed in this earthquake, with the last body found in a quarry on April 13.

The NWS Tsunami Alerts said California is safe.