TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Six schools in Taipei City suspended classes on Wednesday (April 3) after a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck Taiwan at 7:58 a.m.
The seismic event led to a halt in activities across several regions, including Hualien County, where both work and classes were suspended for the day. Also, select schools in Yilan County, Hsinchu County, and Taoyuan City canceled classes in response to the quake.
As the earthquake occurred, students across the nation were preparing to begin their school day. They were instructed to evacuate to safety outside their school buildings once the tremors ceased.
At Neihu Elementary School in Taipei, more than 1,700 students, from kindergarteners to older students, were quickly and safely guided to the sports field or outside the school premises. Classes resumed shortly thereafter.
The school's counseling director highlighted the calm response of students during the evacuation, crediting a recent earthquake drill conducted last month for their preparedness.
The Taipei City Government reported that a total of 201 schools and kindergartens sustained damage due to the earthquake. Meanwhile, the New Taipei City Education Department disclosed that 107 schools experienced minor structural damages.