HSINCHU (TVBS News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) halted all construction work on Wednesday (April 3) due to the impact of a major 7.2 magnitude earthquake in Hualien earlier that day.
Industrial parks in central Taiwan experienced a seismic intensity of level 4. Major companies like TSMC, UMC, AUO, and Micron Taiwan have confirmed normal operations in the morning, as stated by the Central Taiwan Science Park Administration.
Despite regulations mandating factory inspections for earthquakes of magnitude 5 or above, today's seismic activity in Taichung, Houli, Nantou Zhongxing New Village, Changhua Erlin, and Yunlin Huwei remained at level 4.
The National Science and Technology Council announced that emergency response centers have been established in Hsinchu Science Park and Central Taiwan Science Park, with some machines preemptively shutting down.
In a press release, TSMC stated that its safety systems function normally. To ensure the safety of its personnel, the company has initiated relevant preventive measures according to internal procedures.
Some factories have already been evacuated, and all staff are safe and gradually returning to workstations. Investigations are ongoing to determine the actual impact.
TSMC pointed out that initial inspections of the construction sites appear normal. However, due to safety considerations, the company has decided to suspend work at all sites across Taiwan for the day, pending further inspections.