-1766850109491.webp)
- By Supratik Das
- Sat, 27 Dec 2025 09:25 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Taiwan earthquake: A strong earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan late Saturday night, sending tremors across large parts of the island, including the capital Taipei.
According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the quake occurred at around 11:05 pm local time, with its epicentre located off the northeastern coast near Yilan city. Officials said the epicentre was approximately 32 kilometres east of the Yilan County Hall. The earthquake originated at a depth of about 72.8 kilometres, which helped limit surface-level destruction despite its high magnitude.
Strong Tremors Felt Across Isla
Residents in Taipei, Kaohsiung and other major cities reported strong shaking, with buildings swaying for several seconds. In some areas close to the epicentre, the tremors were intense enough to knock items off shelves. Local media reported that shoppers at a supermarket in southeastern Taiwan rushed outdoors as products fell from racks.
Emergency alerts were issued shortly after the quake, urging people to stay alert for aftershocks. Public transport services in some regions were briefly slowed as a precautionary measure, though operations resumed soon after initial safety checks.
Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said teams were deployed across affected regions to assess possible damage. As of the latest reports, there have been no immediate confirmations of casualties or major structural damage. Authorities said inspections of residential buildings, bridges and public infrastructure were ongoing. Power and communication services remained unaffected, officials added, noting that Taiwan’s earthquake preparedness systems functioned as expected.
Recent Seismic Activity Raises Concern
The latest earthquake comes just days after a 6.1-magnitude tremor struck Taiwan’s southeastern county of Taitung earlier this week. That quake, which occurred at a shallow depth, had also shaken buildings in Taipei, reviving concerns over increased seismic activity in the region.
Taiwan lies along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active zones, and regularly experiences earthquakes of varying intensity. While most are minor, stronger quakes have in the past caused significant loss of life and damage.
The Central Weather Administration cautioned residents to remain vigilant, warning that aftershocks could follow in the coming hours or days. Citizens were advised to check their surroundings for structural cracks, secure heavy objects, and follow official advisories. Local governments said emergency response teams remain on standby as assessments continue.