An earthquake of magnitude 4.0 on the Richter scale rocked Taiwan at 15:51 pm (local time) on Thursday, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA) data.
The CWA stated that the epicenter of the earthquake was located at 10.2 km south-southwest of Taitung County Hall, with a shallow focal depth of 26.8 km.
It is important to note that the island was hit by another earthquake of magnitude 6.1 on the Richter scale on April 23, according to National Center for Seismology (NCS) data. The epicenter of the earthquake was located at Latitude 23.69 and Longitude 121.85, at a depth of 87 kilometers.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan government today said it has approved around $878 million as earthquake relief after last month’s quake that killed at least 17 people and damaged buildings and infrastructure, news agency AFP reported.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that hit the island on April 3 also injured more than 1,100 people, but strict building codes and widespread disaster preparedness are credited with averting an even bigger catastrophe.
The earthquake caused massive landslides that blocked tunnels and damaged roads and buildings, dealing a blow to tourism and business in eastern Hualien city, near the epicenter.
“It will make utmost efforts to rebuild homes and revitalize business, with an NT$28.55 billion ($878 million) 0403 Earthquake Recovery and Reconstruction Plan,” AFP cited the Taiwan government as saying.
Under the project, NT$18.44 billion will be earmarked for emergency repair and reconstruction of public facilities. The government said NT$5.84 billion is for resettlement and reconstruction of private homes damaged by the earthquake.
Another NT$4.08 billion will finance industrial revitalisation, while NT$190 million will go to “other insurance subsidies and employment assistance programmes”, the cabinet said.
“In the future, the central and local governments will work together… to ensure that the people receive the fastest, most adequate, and most timely help,” the cabinet said in a statement.
(With inputs from agencies)
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