Taiwan: Magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurs south of Taiwan April 18

Event

A magnitude-5.3 offshore earthquake occurred south of Taiwan at 19:38 April 18. The epicenter was about 54 km (35 miles) southeast of Hengchung. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 10 km (6 miles), and weak to light shaking was probably felt throughout southern and central Taiwan and the Batanes Islands of the far northern Philippines. There have been no initial reports of damage or casualties as a result of the earthquake, and significant damage is unlikely. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas. Aftershocks are likely over the coming days.

The event has not prompted any tsunami advisories.

Officials may temporarily shut down transportation infrastructure near the tremor zone to check for damage. Minor disruptions could occur during shutdowns, but service will likely resume quickly if no damage is found. 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.