More than 80 tremors rattle Taiwan, including a 6.3 magnitude earthquake

Taiwanwas hit by a major 6.3 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of Tuesday (Apr 23), according to the island's Central Weather Administration. The island has been rattled by at least 80 earthquakes since Monday evening, with the first strong quake felt in the capital Taipei of magnitude 5.5 at around 5:08 pm (local time) (0908 GMT). It was then followed by a series of aftershocks and quakes, with two intense tremors hitting one after another around 2:30 am (local time) (1830 GMT).

Agencies mentioned that the quake occurred at 2:26 am (local time) (1826 GMT) and originated in eastern Hualien. According to the HualienFire Department, teams were dispatched to inspect any disaster from the new quakes. The initial statement by the department stated that no casualties had been reported yet.

The earthquake was the latest in the series of quakes that had been shaking the island since Monday afternoon. Taiwan has been hit by hundreds of aftershocks after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Hualien earlier this month.

Earthquake in Taiwan

Earlier this month, a magnitude-7.4 quake hit the nation on April 3. Its epicentre was the Hualien region. It led to landslides that blocked roads around the mountainous region, while buildings in the main Hualien city were badly damaged. At least 17 were killed in that quake, with the latest body found in a quarry on April 13.

The island sees frequent earthquakes as it is located at the junction of two tectonic plates. The April 3 quake was also followed by hundreds of aftershocks.

(With inputs from agencies)