taipei. A strong earthquake was felt in Taiwan’s southeastern coastal city of Taitung on Wednesday, December 24. According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA), the intensity of the earthquake was measured at 6.1 on the Richter scale. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 10.1 kilometers north of Taitung County Hall and its depth was recorded at 11.9 kilometers. At present, it is a matter of relief that till now no official information has been received about any loss of life or property.
According to the information, the effect of the earthquake was visible till the capital Taipei, where skyscrapers kept shaking for a long time. These sudden tremors spread panic among the people and in many areas people came out running from their homes and offices. After the earthquake, an alert has been issued in many major cities including Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan. According to the CWA, the earthquake in Hualien and Pingtung counties registered a magnitude of four on Taiwan’s seven-level scale. Level three intensity was felt in Kaohsiung, Nantou, Tainan, Chiayi County, Yunlin, Chiayi City and Changhua and level two intensity was felt in Taichung, Miaoli, Yilan, Hsinchu County, Taoyuan, New Taipei and Taipei.
Experts say that Taiwan is located near two major tectonic plates, due to which earthquakes occur frequently. Earlier in the year 2016, there was an earthquake of 7.3 magnitude in Taiwan, in which more than 100 people lost their lives. At the same time, about 2000 people died in the massive earthquake that occurred in 1999.
