Strong Earthquake Hits Southern Taiwan, Leaving 44 Injured
In the early hours of Monday, January 21, 2025, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 struck southern Taiwan, causing significant damage and injuring at least 44 individuals. The quake, which occurred at 12:17 a.m., had its epicentre in Dapu Township, Chiayi County, at a depth of 9.7 kilometres. Local authorities reported extensive damage to buildings, particularly in the city of Tainan, where residents were left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of the tremor. Fortunately, there have been no immediate reports of fatalities.
The earthquake’s impact was felt widely across the region, with multiple aftershocks rattling the area throughout the early hours of Tuesday morning. Among the hardest-hit locations was the Nanxi district of Tainan, where local officials indicated that around 100 households experienced damage. Essential services such as electricity and water were disrupted in several neighbourhoods, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents. Eyewitness accounts from those affected paint a vivid picture of the chaos that ensued, with many expressing fear and uncertainty about returning to their homes.
One resident, a 51-year-old woman from Nanxi, described the terrifying moment when the quake struck. “I woke up after a sudden big jolt and smelled gas that may have leaked. I don’t know what to do,” she recounted, standing amidst the wreckage of her home, where a wall had collapsed, leaving shattered glass scattered across the floor. The psychological toll of such disasters is often profound, as illustrated by the sentiments of an 87-year-old evacuee at a local shelter, who expressed her fears of returning home due to the ongoing aftershocks.
In response to the earthquake, local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, warning that significant aftershocks could continue for the next few days. Emergency services have been mobilised to assess the damage and provide assistance to those in need. The government is also working to restore essential services to affected areas as quickly as possible, prioritising the safety and well-being of residents.
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), the world’s largest contract chipmaker, also felt the impact of the earthquake. The company announced a temporary evacuation of employees from several factories located in central and southern Taiwan. Thankfully, TSMC later confirmed that all of its sites had resumed normal operations, alleviating concerns about disruptions to the critical semiconductor supply chain.
As the region begins to recover from this natural disaster, the resilience of the Taiwanese people will be tested once again. With the threat of aftershocks looming, the focus will be on ensuring safety and rebuilding the affected communities. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, providing updates and support as the recovery process unfolds.
