A large M6.4 quake struck on the northeastern coast of Taiwan on Tuesday, following a M6.1 quake that struck the same region on Sunday. The M6.4 quake struck at approximately midnight, local time. There are over 225 injuries, with four confirmed dead, 145 people reported missing, and people are still trapped under rubble and debris. Five large buildings have been seriously damaged; some have collapsed or are leaning severely, including two hotels and a military hospital. Roads and bridges are also heavily damaged in the region, and some are impassable. All flights into the region have been cancelled.
News Articles:
Aerial drone footage:
Extended footage (6 min.):
Of interest, but apparently not newsworthy, is the fact that just off the coast, directly east only a few miles of where the quake struck, an unnamed, underwater volcano exists that has erupted in the past. Is it erupting now? No one is saying. Is there a connection?
It was exactly two years ago that a M6.4 struck Taiwan and killed 117 people. In that quake a large multi-storied apartment building tilted and fell over. It was afterward learned that instead of reinforced concrete being used in the construction, the builders had used inferior materials and trash to fill up voids to save costs.
Remember, taking the lowest bid on a construction project may compromise safety down the road!
