Island of Taiwan hit by powerful earthquake

On 3 April 2024, Taiwan was struck by a powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.5 according to the Japanese Meteorological Agency (JMA), 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey (USGS) and 7.2 according to the Taiwan Central Weather Administration (CWA). This was the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years.

The disaster claimed nine lives and left 1 050 people injured. Rescue workers are intensifying their efforts to save dozens of people trapped in road tunnels. The tremor also caused several buildings to collapse.

Most of the damage and all of the deaths occurred in the city of Hualien, on the country's east coast.

The catastrophe is likely to represent a major loss for the local insurance market.