On Wednesday morning, April 3, Kaohsiung experienced a 5.6 magnitude earthquake. It was the strongest earthquake to hit Kaohsiung since the 6.4 magnitude earthquake on February 6, 2016. Wednesday’s earthquake was rated a moderate “4” on the Taiwan Central Weather Bureau’s intensity scale: People were frightened, people walking would notice the movement, and slight damage indoors. There were no reports of any major damage.

According to the Central Weather Bureau, the epicenter of the earthquake was in the mountains of Taitung. The exact time was 9:52 am. In addition to Kaohsiung, Pingtung and Chiayi counties were the most affected, while Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Keelung cities were the least affected by the earthquake.

What You Should Do During an Earthquake

Indoors

• Keep calm and immediately shut off electricity, gas, and tap-water.
• Protect yourself from falling objects.
• Do not try to rush out of a building, stay inside until the shaking stops.
• Do not use elevators.
• Drop to the ground; take cover; and hold on until the shaking stops.
• If there isn’t a table or desk near you, cover your face and head with your arms and crouch in an inside corner of the building.
• Stay away from glass, windows, outside doors and walls, and anything that could fall.
• If in bed, stay there and protect your head with a pillow.

Outdoors

• Move to a clear area, stay away from buildings, streetlights, utility wires and poles.
• If on a beach or near the shore, move to higher ground safely and quickly.
• Avoid dangerous places like cliffs, rivers, beaches, and shores.
• Do not try to go indoors, stay outside until the shaking stops.
• If driving, stop the car if it’s safe to do so and stay in the car.
• Avoid stopping near or under buildings, trees, overpasses, and utility wires.
• Once the shaking has stopped, drive slowly and beware of any earthquake damage.

Interactive Map

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Earthquake Causing Most Casualties

The largest earthquake that caused the most number of casualties in Taiwan occurred at 06:02am on April 21 of 1935. The epicenter was located three kilometers south to the southeast of the Guandaoshan in Hsinchu.

This earthquake resulted in 3,276 deaths, 12,053 people injured, 17,907 houses fully destroyed, 11,405 houses partially destroyed, and 25,376 houses damaged.

Central Weather Bureau

Earthquake Causing Most Damage

The most catastrophic earthquake in terms of damage is the Nantou earthquake. It occurred at 01:47 am on September 21 of 1999. Its epicenter was located 9 kilometers west of the Sun Moon Lake.

This earthquake resulted in 2,456 deaths, 10,718 injured, 53,661 houses fully destroyed, and 53,024 houses damaged.

Central Weather Bureau