Taiwan grapples with aftershocks following recent deadly earthquake

Taiwan experienced a series of earthquakes overnight and into Tuesday, causing buildings to sway and residents to endure a restless night. The government attributed these tremors to aftershocks from a massive deadly quake that struck the island over two weeks ago. The strongest earthquakes, measuring 6.1 and 6.0 on the Richter scale, struck around 2:30 am, with Taipei's Central Weather Administration recording them at 6.0 and 6.3, respectively. Despite the intense shaking, there have been no reported casualties so far.

The continuous seismic activity began on Monday at 5:00 pm, originating from Hualien on Taiwan's central east coast. This region was the epicenter of a magnitude-7.4 quake on April 3, deemed the strongest in 25 years by Taiwanese authorities. The earlier quake resulted in 17 fatalities and significant damage to infrastructure, including landslides that blocked roads and destroyed buildings in Hualien city.

On Tuesday, a hotel building in Hualien, previously damaged by the earlier quake, began tilting at an angle following the recent tremors. Firefighters urged residents to evacuate for their safety, with the county government subsequently announcing the closure of schools and offices due to the ongoing aftershocks.

The latest 5.8-magnitude tremor that shook Taipei during the morning commute serves as a stark reminder of the seismic vulnerability faced by Taiwan. As the nation continues to grapple with the aftermath of these natural disasters, efforts to ensure public safety and bolster infrastructure resilience remain a top priority.