News
Post quake rescue efforts continuing
The Central Emergency Operation Center says six people remain missing, while 278 others have now been evacuated after last Wednesday's magnitude 7.3 earthquake. The death toll currently stands at at least 13.
The center says the missing individuals consist of one Taiwanese national at a quarry, as well as three Taiwanese nationals and a Singaporean couple along the Sha-Ka-Dang Trail in the Taroko National Park.
The center says rescue efforts on the trail are on-going and the three Taiwanese are likely somewhere around the 0.5-kilometer-mark, while the Singaporean couple are believed to be located at around the 1.5-Kilometer-mark. Officials search and rescue teams are stepping-up efforts to search for the missing people and drones, surveillance camera footage and excavators are being employed to locate and access areas where they could be. Thirty eight other people are voluntarily staying in various locations such as Silks Place Taroko Hotel and Tian-Xiang Youth Activity Center.
Meanwhile, The Central Weather Administration says the daily number of aftershocks following last Wednesday's earthquake is now a declining trend. About 710 aftershocks have been registered since then. They include two exceeding a magnitude of 6 and 24 others ranging from magnitude 5 to 6 while there have been 209 earthquakes ranging in magnitude from between 4 and 5.
According to the administration's seismology centre, those figures indicate that the daily number of aftershocks has been declining over the past few days, decreasing from 314 in the immediate aftermath of the initial quake to around 90.
Following the earthquake on 3 April TSMC swiftly announced the recovery of over 70% of its wafer fabrication equipment within just 10 hours, showcasing its readiness for such disasters. This response not only highlights Taiwan's long-standing experience in dealing with seismic events but also underlines the ongoing risks for chipmakers in Asia's earthquake-prone areas.
Nikkei Asia reported that TSMC's rapid action reflects 25 years of critical industry experience in Taiwan. The company's efforts to mitigate earthquake impacts include installing seismometers, enhancing building standards, and securing machinery to minimize damage. These comprehensive disaster preparedness measures underscore the resilience of Taiwan's semiconductor industry and its crucial role in global supply chains.
In related news, the Ministry of Agriculture says estimated agricultural losses as a result of the earthquake currently stand at just over NT$76 million. All of the losses have been confined in Hualien near the earthquake's epicenter. According to the agriculture ministry, damage to crops, and agricultural products and private facilities in Hualien stands at around NT$42 million. Data shows the agricultural damage in Hualien was spread over an area of 0.3 hectares and 30% of the crops, which covered 0.09 hectares, were totally destroyed. A majority of the losses are due to broken fishing nets and other fishery equipment in the county.
The Ministry of Agriculture says Hualien also sustained damage to its public agricultural infrastructure, which is estimated at NT$33 million, NT$20 million of which was in the area of soil and water conservation infrastructure.
