A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan on April 3, leaving at least 13 dead and nearly 1,000 injured. Despite being the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years, the toll on the islands was relatively contained due to Taiwan’s excellent earthquake preparedness and response plans, strict building codes, a world-class seismological network and widespread public education campaigns. Such measures have improved Taiwan’s resilience to earthquakes and mitigate damage and loss of life, potentially catastrophic in places with low resilience and preparedness to such disasters.
As of April 5, over 650 people remain stranded in locations cut off by damage but in contact with rescue teams.
Photo credit: Taiwan Ministry of National Defense via X
