Taiwan rocked by magnitude 7.0 quake but no major damage reported

"The weather administration said damage from the quake should be limited because it was deep and hit offshore. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Taiwan's northeastern coastal city, the island's weather administration said, with no immediate reports of major damage. The quake with a depth of 73km (45 miles) was felt across Taiwan and shook buildings in the capital Taipei, the administration said on Saturday, assigning it an intensity-four category, meaning there could be minor damage."

"Taipei city's government said there was no major damage reported in the immediate aftermath, with some isolated cases of damage, including gas and water leakage and minor damage to buildings. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) put the magnitude of the earthquake at 6.6. More than 3,000 homes in Yilan briefly lost power, the Taiwan Power Company said. Major chipmaker TSMC said a small number of its facilities in the northern Hsinchu Science Park met evacuation thresholds after the quake."

"The weather administration said people should be on alert for aftershocks of magnitude 5.5-6.0 in the coming day. It also said damage from the quake should be limited because it was relatively deep and hit offshore. Taiwan President William Lai Ching-te said in a social media post that authorities had the situation under control and also urged the population to be on alert for aftershocks. Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes."

A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck Taiwan's northeastern coast at a depth of 73 km, shaking buildings across the island including Taipei and registering an intensity-four category associated with minor damage. Taipei city reported no major damage but noted isolated incidents such as gas and water leaks and minor structural harm. The USGS estimated magnitude 6.6. Over 3,000 homes in Yilan briefly lost power. Major chipmaker TSMC temporarily evacuated some northern Hsinchu Science Park facilities before staff returned. Authorities warned of possible magnitude 5.5–6.0 aftershocks and said damage should be limited because the quake was relatively deep and offshore.

Read at www.aljazeera.com