Taiwan: Magnitude-5.6 earthquake strikes in central Taiwan Sept. 13

Event

A magnitude-5.6 earthquake occurred in Nantou County, central Taiwan, at 18:41 Sept. 13. The epicenter was about 35 km (22 miles) east of Taichung City. According to Taiwan's Central Weather Bureau, the tremor occurred at a depth of about 47 km (29 miles). It caused moderate-to-strong shaking near the epicenter and nearby areas of central Taiwan. Light shaking probably occurred in other areas of the island. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties due to the earthquake, but some damage is possible, particularly near the epicenter. Landslides are possible and could block routes in mountain areas. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure in the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if they do not find any damage. Utility outages are possible, particularly near the earthquake's epicenter.

Advice

Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Out of an abundance of caution, consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.