Two Unsafe Buildings Partially Collapse in Taiwan After Series of Earthquakes

On April 24, 2024, a series of earthquakes struck Hualien County in eastern Taiwan, causing the partial collapse of two buildings that were previously damaged and evacuated following a 7.2 magnitude earthquake on April 3. The strongest quake in the latest series measured 6.1 magnitude according to the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Full Hotel building in downtown Hualien partially collapsed and was left leaning at a severe angle. The nearby Tong Shuai Building, which had been heavily damaged in the April 3 quake that killed 17 people and injured over 1,100, was also empty as it was marked for demolition. Both buildings were unoccupied at the time of the latest quakes, and no injuries were reported.

The earthquakes, which coincided with heavy rain, also triggered landslides and rockslides on several roads in Hualien County. Authorities canceled business and school for the day and closed highways due to warnings of rockfalls. Hundreds of aftershocks continued to strike the area, with the majority below magnitude 3.

The director of the Central Meteorological Agency Seismological Center stated that more tremors are expected in the coming months as the region continues to release energy from the April 3 earthquake. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), a major chipmaker with facilities in the area, said it evacuated some staff but did not expect any impact on operations. TSMC's stock closed 1.6% higher on the day as investors overcame concerns.

Why this matters: Taiwan is located at the confluence of the Philippine and Eurasian tectonic plates, making it prone to frequent and sometimes powerful earthquakes. The country's excellent earthquake preparedness and strict construction standards have helped mitigate the human toll, but the economic impact and disruption to critical industries like semiconductor manufacturing remain significant concerns.

Taiwan has set aside over $614 million for relief and reconstruction efforts following the April 3 earthquake. "Safety is our top priority. We have evacuated residents from unsafe buildings and are working to restore infrastructure and support those affected by this disaster," said a Hualien County official. Seismologists continue to monitor the area closely, warning residents to stay alert and prepared for further aftershocks in the coming weeks and months.

Key Takeaways

• Series of quakes hit Taiwan's Hualien, collapsing 2 damaged buildings.
• No injuries reported as buildings were evacuated after prior 7.2M quake.
• Quakes triggered landslides, road closures; hundreds of aftershocks continue.
• Taiwan's semiconductor industry evacuated staff but expects no operational impact.
• Taiwan allocates $614M for relief and reconstruction after April 3 quake.