7.0-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Taiwan’s Coast

TAIPEI — A strong 7.0-magnitude earthquake hit approximately 32 kilometers (20 miles) offshore from Yilan, a northeastern coastal city in Taiwan, on Saturday, according to the island’s weather administration. Initial assessments indicated no significant destruction.

The tremor, which occurred at a depth of 73 kilometers (45 miles), reverberated through northern Taiwan and caused buildings to sway in the capital, Taipei. Officials classified its intensity as level four, suggesting the potential for only minor issues.

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Taipei’s municipal government reported no substantial damage in the hours following the event. Taiwan Power Company noted that over 3,000 households in Yilan experienced temporary power outages.

Taiwan is situated at the convergence of two tectonic plates, making it highly susceptible to seismic activity.

For context, a quake in southern Taiwan claimed more than 100 lives in 2016, while a 7.3-magnitude event in 1999 resulted in over 2,000 deaths.