Taipei mayor urges citizens to report disaster incidents

HUALIEN (TVBS News) — Two buildings in Hualien collapsed due to earthquakes that shook Taiwan early on Tuesday (April 23). Mayor of Taipei, Chiang Wan-an, urged citizens to report disaster-related incidents by calling 119 or 1999.

According to Chiang, the Taipei Metro followed regular operating practices. It promptly lowered the speed of its high-capacity trains to 40 km/h and the Wenhu line trains to 50% speed to check the tracks after the earthquakes. Once the track conditions were evaluated, regular operations started up again.

The mayor has instructed district offices to work with the Building Administration Office to check buildings for structural deterioration or possible risks like falling ceiling panels or chandeliers.

Chiang also advised citizens not to visit mountainous regions or bodies of water because of an incoming weather front that can bring rain and cause landslides.