Hualien Port operations suspended after Taiwan Earthquake

TAIWAN : On Wednesday at 07:58 hours, a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck near Hualien, Taiwan, with the epicentre 15.5 kilometers from the county. This is Taiwan’s largest earthquake in 25 years, with ten casualties as of the latest update. Tsunami warnings were issued for Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines, although they were later removed.

The Central Weather Administration warned of likely 6.5-7 magnitude aftershocks in the coming three to four days. Taiwan International Ports Corporation reported terminal damage at Hualien, and five ships left the port. The port authority confirmed that no other Taiwanese ports suffered substantial damage.

The earthquake, which occurred in Taiwan’s sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien killed 10 people and left hundreds of people stranded in a national park as boulders barrelled down mountains, cutting off roads. 18 people remain missing.

According to the Taipei Times, the Maritime and Port Bureau also worked with ferry operators to use the Taipei Express and the Taima Star to help ferry passengers and their vehicles between Port of Suao and Port of Hualien. 

Furthermore, the Ministry of Transportation and Communications is today to start a maritime transportation shuttle service connecting Yilan County’s Port of Suao and the Port of Hualien, while airlines are providing extra flights to the area, Taipei Times report.