Major late-night earthquake rocks the area!

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family / Compiled and reported

A series of noticeable earthquakes have occurred for several days since February 4, and around 23:50 on February 6, another strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 on the Richter scale struck, with a depth of just 10 kilometers. The quake was felt across Taiwan. Hualien experienced an intensity of 7, Nantou felt a 4, and Taipei recorded a 3.

Update:At 23:53, another 5.0-magnitude earthquake occurred. In the early hours of February 7, there were three more shallow earthquakes with magnitudes of 4.0, 4.7, and 4.1 respectively. Among them, the 4.0-magnitude quake at 00:13 had a depth of only 2.6 kilometers. After 2:00 AM, aftershocks of magnitudes 5.2 and 5.4 continued to occur.

The Ministry of the Interior has activated a Level 1 disaster response center. Premier Lai Ching-te arrived at the scene after 1:00 AM. President Tsai Ing-wen instructed all-out rescue efforts, and Vice President Lai Ching-te flew to Hualien by special plane at 3:00 AM to oversee the situation.
Hualien County Government announces no work or school on February 7

After the earthquake, reports emerged that the first floor of the Grand Formosa Taroko Hotel in Hualien had collapsed and tilted. The Ministry of National Defense rushed to the scene for rescue operations late at night.
      (The Grand Formosa Taroko Hotel has a 41-year history and is a long-established hotel in Hualien)
Hotel at No. 2 Shangxiao Street tilted / Multiple residential buildings reported leaning, collapsing, and power outages
Road surface at Qixingtan deformed
Suhua Highway closed
Hualien Bridge road surface uplifted, bridge closed
Central Cross-Island Highway closed
Sections of the Taiwan Railways suspended for inspection
Two deaths, over 100 injured
* Do not approach disaster relief zones to avoid hindering rescue efforts or encountering other dangers

* Temporary shelters in HualienSet up at Hualien Arena. Residents or tourists in Hualien who feel their buildings are unsafe may go to the temporary shelters.(Address of Hualien Arena:No. 23, Dagu Hu Bay Road, Hualien City, Hualien County)
Some accommodations in Hualien have also voluntarily opened their doors to displaced residents and those needing rest.

High-speed rail and metro services resumed normal operations after the earthquake. Some eastern sections of Taiwan Railways have entered inspection and suspension status. If you plan to use Taiwan Railways, it is recommended to check in advance whether services have been suspended due to post-earthquake inspections.

Due to the subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, recent seismic activity has been frequent. Although the Central Weather Bureau previously stated that these quakes are part of normal energy release, the public is reminded to remain alert for earthquakes, be cautious of aftershocks, avoid mountainous areas to prevent landslides, and pay special attention to water, electricity, and gas supplies.