The walls of the "earth corner house" of the 70-year-old house in Hualien collapsed. Image source: Taiwan's "China Times News Network"
[China Jingwei Network Comprehensive Report] At 14:44 on September 18, a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurred in Hualien County, Taiwan, with a depth of 10 kilometers. According to China News Service , since the night of September 17, magnitude 6.5 and 6.9 earthquakes and multiple aftershocks have occurred in Taitung and Hualien counties in Taiwan. The latest data from the Taiwan Disaster Response Center reported that as of 11:00 p.m. on the 18th, the earthquake caused one death and 142 injuries, including 76 people in Hualien County, 55 people in Taitung County, 4 people in Kaohsiung City, 52 people in New Taipei City, 2 people in Taoyuan City, 2 people in Pingtung County, and 1 person in Chiayi County.
The Earthquake Measurement and Reporting Center of the Taiwan Meteorological Department stated that it was initially judged that Taiwan's strong earthquake was caused by the fault squeezing under the of the central mountain range of . It is not ruled out that there will be strong aftershocks, and aftershocks of magnitude 3 or above may last for one month. According to current statistics, this is the seventh strong earthquake with a scale of magnitude 6 or above this year. The earthquake of this magnitude is equivalent to the power of 8 atomic bombs, far exceeding the average of 2 to 3 earthquakes with a scale of magnitude 6 or above in Taiwan each year.
It is understood that the eastern part of Hualien was severely damaged, with 2 bridges broken and 3 buildings collapsed. The earthquake also caused water and power outages in many places in Hualien and failures of railway , and some sections of the road are still waiting to be opened to traffic.
About 600 people were trapped in the mountains
A 69-year-old man in Yuli Town, Hualian was working in a cement readmixing plant. He was suspected of being injured due to a collapse of the factory. He died after being sent to the hospital after being seriously injured. The earthquake caused the collapse of local mountain roads, and there are currently about 180 to 200 vehicles and 600 people trapped in the mountains.
Hualien Bridge was broken due to earthquake
Taitung County Chishang Township at 2:44 pm on the 18th. Taiwan felt that the Gaoliao Bridge in Yuli in Hualien was broken and someone seemed to have fallen under the bridge. The police rushed to rescue. (Photo by Taiwan's "Central News Agency" provided by Taitung County Government)
Overseas Network reported that the Gaoliao Bridge in Yuli, Hualian, was affected by the earthquake, and the entire line broke into several pieces. It can be seen from the video that the situation on the scene is quite serious. Some people happened to be stuck in the middle of the bridge, but the front and rear bridge decks disappeared, and the picture was shocking.
It is understood that the Gaoliao Bridge in Yuli Town, Hualien County is an important transportation bridge in the local area. In March this year, bridge railings, guardrails, road surfaces and other facilities were damaged due to earthquakes. From June 6 to June 17, construction workers were working on the site, but unexpectedly, the bridge broke down occurred due to an earthquake today.
Taiwan Railway route from Taitung to Hualien was interrupted
Taiwan Railway Station was damaged. Image source: Taiwan United Daily News
Affected by the earthquake, Taiwan Railway stated that from 3 pm on the 18th, the route between Taitung Station and Hualien Station has been interrupted, and there are delays in trains heading south and north.
Affected stations: Taitung, Shanli, Luye, Ruiyuan, Ruihe, Guanshan, Haiduan, Chishang, Fuli, Dongzhu, Dongli, Yuli, Sanmin, Ruisui, Fuyuan, Dafu, Guangfu, Wanrong, Fenglin, Nanping, Lin Rong Xinguang, Toyota, Shoufeng, Pinghe, Zhixue, Ji'an, Hualien.
caused power outages in 7073 households in Yuli, Hualian,
A 7-11 floor building collapsed in Yuli Town, Hualian, and the police said the casualties were unknown. Image source: Taiwan's "Central News Agency" (provided by Yuli Police)
Taiwan Water said that large-scale water pipes in Yuli area of Hualien have been broken and emergency repairs have been carried out. Taiwan Power said that the earthquake in Hualien area caused the feeder to jump out of power, causing 7,073 households in Yuli. There were also power outages in small areas of 504 households in Taipei City, 197 households in New Taipei City, 430 households in Tainan City, 362 households in Guanshan District, Taitung, 157 households in Chishang Wan'an and Fuxing District, as well as about 100 households in Luzhu District, Kaohsiung City and other small areas.
The economic authorities of Taiwan authorities said that due to the earthquake, 7,073 households in Yuli, Hualian had no power outages. Taiwan Power has opened an emergency power supply center and started to enter before 4 pm yesterday to confirm the situation in various places.
Taishui said that the large-scale broken pipes in Yuli area of Hualien are still being identified, and emergency repairs are underway. The Taishui Resilience Team has also completed the entry before 4 pm.
Taiwan Affairs Office : Mainland China is highly concerned about the earthquake in Taitung and Hualien, Taiwan, and the Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhu Fenglian said on the 18th that relevant mainland China is highly concerned about this, expressed condolences to the families of the victims, expressed condolences to the injured, and hoped that the affected people would restore normal production and living order as soon as possible.
