At least 27 injured after M6.4 earthquake hits Taiwan, equivalent to ‘two atomic bombs’

At least 27 injured after M6.4 earthquake hits Taiwan, equivalent to ‘two atomic bombs’

Rishav Kothari

At least 27 people were injured after an M6.4 earthquake hit Chiayi County, Taiwan, on January 20, 2025. The quake damaged infrastructure, triggered landslides, and was felt as far as Taipei.

• The M6.4 earthquake in Taiwan’s Chiayi County injured at least 27 people and caused damage to infrastructure.
• The tremors were felt across multiple cities, including Tainan, Kaohsiung, and Taipei.
• Additional aftershocks with magnitudes of 5 or higher are possible over the next three days.

A strong M6.4 earthquake struck Taiwan’s Chiayi County at 16:17 UTC (00:17 local time on January 21) on January 20, injuring at least 27 people and causing structural damage, including the collapse of a house in Tainan’s Nanxi district and damage to the Zhuwei bridge.

The energy released by the earthquake was equivalent to two atomic bombs, according to Kuo Kai-wen, former director of the Central Weather Administration’s (CWA) seismology center.

Tremors were felt as far as Taipei, causing several high-rise buildings to sway, while neighboring cities such as Tainan and Kaohsiung also experienced the quake’s effects.

No fatalities have been reported, but several structures were damaged, and some homes partially collapsed.

The Chiayi County government suspended work and classes in Dapu township, the area closest to the epicenter. Roads were severely damaged, rendering travel impossible, while water and electricity supplies were disrupted.

In Xixing village, 50 residents were trapped after landslides caused by the quake blocked road access. Six homes were damaged in Tainan’s Nanshi district, where rescuers pulled 11 residents to safety, including a one-month-old baby. Three people sustained minor injuries and were hospitalized, according to the fire department.

Over 50 aftershocks were recorded in Chiayi, Tainan, and Kaohsiung. Seismologists warned of potential aftershocks of magnitude 5 or higher in the next three days as seismic energy continues to be released.

The quake caused a fire at a printing factory in Chiayi, but it was extinguished without any reported injuries.

More...