Taiwan Earthquake: How Advanced Technology Helped Minimize Damage, Casualties

The US Geological Survey reported a 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan early Wednesday morning, an incident that demonstrated the island nation's durability against natural calamities.

Taiwan's worst earthquake in 25 years struck the East Coast, killing at least nine people and injuring 934, although the toll seems modest given its severity. In contrast to prior earthquake disasters in the region, analysts attribute this outcome to Taiwan's advanced technology and strong disaster response protocols.

After the 1999 Taiwan earthquake, building code revisions and technological advances reduced casualties in Wednesday's Taiwan earthquake, according to Bloomberg. Professor Wu Yih-min of National Taiwan University, a team head at the National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction, noted the disaster response system's sophistication during the last three to five years.

Technology Boosts Resiliency

Advanced features, including online keyword and photo scanning, mobile signal identification, and security camera image analysis, allow speedy resource deployment to disaster-stricken areas.

Professor Wu noted that the nation "continues to develop these technologies" and emphasized that Taiwan's strong technology sector gave them advantage in times of calamity.

Taiwan's advanced technology makes it a global leader in semiconductors. Global supply chain companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. and United Microelectronics Corp. halted operations and evacuated workers as a precaution.

After infrastructure damage and power outages impacted over 300,000 homes, the island's power utility restored power to a large majority of affected districts within hours. Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen immediately established an emergency response office to manage the earthquake reaction.

Taiwan showed extraordinary earthquake preparation. Taipei survived significant tremors, but Hualien suffered building damage. Following the rush-hour quake, parents and professionals resumed school walks and workplace commutes.

(Photo : STR/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)

This frame grab from AFPTV video taken on April 3, 2024 shows rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines.

According to seismologist Stephen Gao, Taiwan's strict construction rules, powerful seismological network, and extensive public education have made it well-prepared. Government programs encourage quake-resistant building assessments and revise building requirements.

After the 2016 Tainan earthquake, which killed people in collapsed buildings, authorities punished construction incompetence. According to Al Jazeera, Taiwan prioritizes school and workplace earthquake drills, and media and cellphone alerts raise public awareness. Gao claims these approaches strengthen Taiwan's resilience, preventing massive damage and casualties during disasters.

Racing Against Time in Recovering Trapped Individuals

Meanwhile, Taiwanese rescuers are racing against time to rescue dozens of people trapped in highway tunnels. Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA) on Wednesday, according to a CNN report.

Emergency personnel rescued 75 people from the Hualien County tunnels. Around 137 people, including 50 Silk's Place Hotel Taroko personnel in four minibusses, remain stranded as of 7 a.m. Eastern Time. Authorities have reported them trapped after failing to reach them via phone.

The NFA reports that they freed two German citizens trapped in a tunnel in Hualien County.

Three hikers died from tumbling rocks at Taroko Gorge, a popular tourist site. The NFA acknowledged that falling boulders at a tunnel on the east coast's Suhua Highway killed a truck driver.

Taiwanese officials report fallen structures in Hualien County, thousands of homes without power, and the closing of a key highway due to landslides and rockslides. The NFA said that two road tunnels in northern Hualien County hold most of the captives.

A representative for Taiwan's Central Weather Administration predicted magnitude 7 aftershocks until the end of the week.

Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines issued tsunami warnings following the Taiwan earthquake, with some coastlines seeing waves less than half a meter. Airlines also suspended flights. Subsequently, all tsunami alerts were canceled.