Taiwan Quake Shakes Island, New Taipei Lines Halted
SingTao · 4 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
A magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck waters off southeastern Taiwan at 3pm on August 25, with the epicentre located 48 kilometres east-southeast of Taitung County government and a focal depth of 13.1 kilometres. The quake was widely felt across Taiwan, no casualties were immediately reported, and four New Taipei Metro lines were temporarily halted before moving at reduced speed under inspection procedures.
Key Points
- Taiwan's weather authorities said the quake hit at 3pm on August 25 in waters off southeastern Taiwan, measuring magnitude 5.8.
- The epicentre was 48 kilometres east-southeast of Taitung County government, at a depth of 13.1 kilometres, making it a shallow earthquake.
- Maximum intensity reached level 4 in Taitung County, with Green Island recording the strongest shaking reported by Taiwanese authorities.
- Intensity level 3 was reported in parts of Chiayi County, Yunlin County, Tainan City and Chiayi City, while Taipei recorded level 1 shaking.
- New Taipei Metro said the Danhai Light Rail, Ankeng Light Rail, Sanying Line and Circular Line were first stopped, then resumed slow operations during inspections
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong travellers heading to Taiwan, the immediate concern is transport disruption and the possibility of aftershocks over the next few days, as warned by Taiwan's Central Weather Administration. The broad warning coverage across 17 cities and counties also suggests that even offshore quakes can affect transport and daily movement well beyond the epicentre.