Jakarta – A 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, leaving 27 people injured and damaging several houses.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake occurred today, causing 27 injuries and collapsing residents’ rooftops. The USGS reported that the epicenter was located 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) north of Yujing.
An AFP journalist in Taipei felt the tremors for almost a minute when the shallow earthquake hit shortly after midnight. AFP also confirmed a viral video showing local firefighters rescuing three people, including a child, trapped in a collapsed house near the Nanxi district.
Ceilings in several other houses in the district also caved in.
Elsewhere, one person was reportedly injured by falling debris, and two others were rescued from an elevator, authorities said.
The Ministry of Health confirmed that a total of 27 people were injured. Meanwhile, Nanxi district firefighters reported “no major damage.”
Taiwanese chipmaker giant TSMC evacuated workers from several factories in the central and southern regions.
In Chiayi City, north of Yujing, CCTV footage showed shelves shaking and items falling to the floor, as seen in clips shared on Threads. The footage was verified by AFP.
Taiwan frequently experiences earthquakes due to its location on the edge of two tectonic plates near the Pacific Ring of Fire, which the USGS identifies as the most seismically active zone in the world.
The last major earthquake occurred in April 2024, when a deadly 7.4 magnitude quake hit the island. Officials described it as the strongest earthquake in 25 years.
At least 17 people were killed in the 2024 quake, which triggered landslides and caused severe damage to buildings around Hualien.