Attachments
SITUATION
• On 5 February at 19.57 UTC an earthquake of magnitude 6.4 M at a depth of 23 km hit southern Taiwan. The epicenter was located in Kaohsiung county, close to Pingtung county, approx. 28 km north-east of Pingtung and 48 km south-east of Tainan.
• Search and rescue operations are still ongoing. Most affected has been the city of Tainan (population approx. 2 million).
• According to Taiwan's Central Disaster Coordination Center 35 are reported dead, 524 injured with 90 still hospitalised. 204 people were rescued out of the collapsed buildings but 117 are still reported missing.
• The Taiwan Red Cross Organization have more than 100 staff and volunteers on the ground to provide assistance to the affected population, including psychosocial support. The Red Cross Society of China has donated 2 million Yuan in support of the relief efforts of the Taiwan Red Cross Organization.
Sources: ECHO, GDACS, USGS, Media
Significant historical earthquakes in this area
One of the deadliest earthquakes which occured in this area is the 7.6 M earthquake of Sep 1999 (epicenter in Nantou county). It caused widespread destruction and killed 2 300 people. In Jul 1998, an earthquake of 5.7 M (epicenter in Chiayi), killed five people. In Dec 2006 a 7.0 M (epicenter off the coast of Pingtung) caused the death of two people.
Sources: USGS, CRED, NOAA
Weather Forecast
Over the next 48 h, low temperatures and rains may affect northern and some areas of central Taiwan, while no heavy rains are forecast for south-western Taiwan.
Sources: NOAA, CWB