Taiwan was once again struck by nature's fury. On Wednesday, this Southeast Asian island nation was suddenly shaken by intense tremors. The magnitude of the earthquake was 6.1 on the Richter scale. According to Taiwan's weather department, the earthquake's epicentre was in Taitung County in southeastern Taiwan, with a depth of only 11.9 kilometres from the surface. The intensity of the tremors was severe due to the shallow epicentre.
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Although the earthquake's centre was in Taitung, its effects were clearly felt in Taipei, located 300 kilometres to the north. According to eyewitnesses, high-rise buildings in Taiwan's capital began shaking violently. Panicked people rushed out onto the streets. Videos circulating on social media also showed scenes of terror houses and furniture all swaying.
Although no major casualties or damage have been reported so far, the administration remains alert. Due to its geographical location, Taiwan is extremely earthquake-prone. Being situated at the junction of the Eurasian and Philippine Sea plates, earthquakes occur here frequently.
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Today's tremors reminded locals of that terrible memory from 1999, when nearly 2,000 people lost their lives in a 7.3 magnitude earthquake. In 2016, as well, more than 100 people died in an earthquake. Today's incident seemed to rekindle that very fear.
