Despite being hit with a 7.4-magnitude earthquake on Wednesday morning, travel is largely operating normally throughout Taiwan at the time of publication.
With casualties still being counted in real-time, the New York Times reported around 9 a.m. EDT on April 3 that “at least nine people” were killed, with 800-plus injured and “dozens” trapped. This marks the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan, the island in the Pacific Ocean between Japan and the Philippines, in 25 years.
A powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake that rocked Taiwan during the morning commute on Wednesday was the strongest quake to hit the island in 25 years. Here’s what we know about the earthquake and its aftermath. https://t.co/FJ92vzNfah
— The New York Times (@nytimes) April 3, 2024
Aftershocks in the region, but earlier tsunami warnings for Taiwan and parts of Japan were called off. Several airports in Japan that had been temporarily closed have now resumed operations.
The eastern coast of the island was most heavily affected, including in Taroko National Park in Hualien County, though people and buildings throughout the country felt the quake, including on the other side of the island, where a building collapsed in Changhua County, per the newspaper.
Rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan. STR/AFPTV/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Minimal damage has been recorded in the capital city of Taipei, where normal operations continued at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) as of 10:30 a.m. EDT. The only visible impact on air travel thus far has been a notice from TPE regarding the temporary closure of their “In-Town-Check-in Service.”
Additionally, there had been no reported delays or cancellations at TPE recorded by Flight Aware as of 10:16 a.m. EDT.
FLIGHTAWARE.COM
The largest disruption to travel appears to be the country’s Railway system, which spans the country from east to west. At the time of publication, the eastern line remained closed, according to the New York Times, and is expected to reopen Thursday. There was no status update on operations from the Railway itself.
This story will continue to be updated should travel to the island be further impacted.
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