The magnitude 6.4 earthquake that rocked southern Taiwan on Thursday caused millions of dollars in damage to infrastructure and business operations, officials and companies said yesterday.
At least 96 people were injured in the quake, which disrupted rail services, toppled farm houses and momentarily cut off electricity to more than half a million homes.
A fire that broke out soon after the quake at Everest Textile and lasted for nearly a day was estimated to have caused at least NT$100 million (US$3.1 million) in damage, the Tainan County-based company said.
The tremor also disrupted operations in Southern Taiwan Science Park as production lines were temporarily shut down for safety evacuation. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC, 台積電) and United Microelectronics Corp (UMC, 聯電), the world’s two largest contract chipmakers, both reported a 36-hour production delay in their facilities in Tainan.
“The impact is limited and the insurance company will cover it,” a UMC spokesman said.
Taiwan High Speed Rail was forced to suspend services to southern Taiwan on Thursday following a minor derailing during the quake.
A train that was stranded at the Tainan Station because of the earthquake was expected to be towed back to the depot for repair last night, the Taiwan High Speed Rail Corp said. The high-speed rail system will resume full operation on Monday morning.
About 99 schools have reported an estimated NT$40 million in damage, the Ministry of Education said.
Meanwhile, US Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, ranking Republican on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement on Thursday saying the US stood ready to assist the Taiwanese government with relief efforts.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the people of Taiwan today, after yesterday’s earthquake injured dozens and caused damage to the southern portion of the island,” she said.
Ros-Lehtinen said Washington was ready to help Taiwan “in its efforts to help its citizens return to a normal life.”
Additional reporting by William Lowther and Jenny W. Hsu
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