April 8, 2024
By Jiwoo Choi
Taiwan faced a significant seismic event as a powerful 7.2-magnitude earthquake, reported as 7.4 by US and European agencies, rocked its eastern waters on the morning of the 3rd. The quake's aftermath has resulted in nine confirmed fatalities, with more than 1,000 individuals sustaining injuries. Hualien County bore the brunt of the disaster, with all reported deaths occurring there.
As per reports from Taiwan's Central Disaster Response Center, the casualty count rose to nine by 10 p.m. on the 3rd, with 1,011 individuals reported injured across the island. The quake left 143 people stranded in various locations due to collapsed infrastructure and disrupted transportation.
The affected areas in Hualien County include Taroko National Park, where four fatalities were reported, along with casualties from other sites such as the Su-Hua Highway parking lot, the Dacin Tunnel rest area, and downtown Hualien buildings. Rescue operations are underway to locate and assist individuals trapped or isolated by the earthquake's impact.
Taroko National Park authorities estimate that over 1,000 individuals, comprising both tourists and staff, may be stranded within the park's confines. Additionally, concerns persist for 87 individuals isolated in nearby mining areas and 47 employees of a Hualien hotel.
Taiwanese seismic authorities have recorded over 200 aftershocks since the main quake, with forecasts indicating potential aftershocks continuing for the next 2–3 days.
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