A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck southern Taiwan early Tuesday morning, according to local media reports. The Central Weather Administration (CWA) confirmed the quake hit Chiayi County at 12:17 a.m. (1617 GMT Monday).
The tremors, which lasted over 10 seconds, were felt as far as the capital, Taipei, causing buildings to sway. Several aftershocks followed the initial quake. In Tainan City, at least two people were rescued after a house collapsed due to the quake’s impact.
The epicenter was located 37.9 kilometers (23.5 miles) southeast of Chiayi County Hall, with a depth of 9.7 kilometers (over 6 miles), as reported by the Central News Agency based in Taipei. The China Earthquake Networks Center recorded the quake at a slightly lower magnitude of 6.2 on the Richter scale, according to state-run Xinhua News.
Chiayi County experienced the highest intensity, registering a 6- on Taiwan’s 7-tier intensity scale. Neighboring areas, including Tainan City and Kaohsiung City, recorded an intensity of 5-. The quake’s impact was significant, with authorities closely monitoring the situation and assessing damage in the affected regions.
