Taipei: A strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s northeastern coast late on Saturday, according to the island’s Central Weather Administration. The quake occurred at 11:05 pm local time, with its epicentre located about 32 km east of Yilan city at a depth of around 73 km.
The exact coordinates of the epicentre were 24.69°N and 122.08°E. Shaking was felt across several parts of Taiwan, including the capital Taipei and the southern city of Kaohsiung, with strong tremors reported near the epicentre in Yilan. In some areas, items were knocked off shelves.
Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said damage assessments were under way but there were no immediate reports of casualties or major destruction. The Taipei city government also confirmed that no significant damage had been reported so far.
As the quake struck late at night, the fire agency issued safety advisories on X, urging residents to protect themselves immediately, stay away from dangerous objects, keep shoes and a torch by their bedside, wait for the shaking to stop before moving, and remain calm to avoid injuries from aftershocks.
The latest tremor comes just three days after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan’s southeastern county of Taitung, which also caused buildings to shake in Taipei. That quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 11.9 km.
Taiwan is located along the boundary of two tectonic plates and is highly prone to earthquakes. In April 2024, the island was hit by a 7.4-magnitude earthquake — the strongest in 25 years — which killed at least 17 people and caused widespread damage and landslides around Hualien.
