Series of Hualien quakes leads to 4 building collapses

HUALIEN (TVBS News) — A series of strong earthquakes rocked Hualien County early Tuesday (April 23), resulting in the collapse or tilting of four buildings. The Hualien County government is still tallying the damaged structures.

One collapsed building, a two-story residential house in Yanliao Village, Shoufeng Township, had been assessed as a "red-tagged" building following a strong earthquake on April 3. The Shoufeng Township Office noted that the residents had already moved out after the April 3 quake, so there were no casualties in this collapse.

According to structural engineers, three of the four reported toppled buildings had been red-tagged as structurally damaged after the April 3 quake. The fourth building is the Hotel Fouquet.

The Hualien County government will reassess the buildings reported by the public. The fate of the toppled buildings will be determined based on factors such as public safety and the impact on nearby residents. The county government will decide whether to assist in demolishing these buildings.