TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan reported zero casualties from a magnitude 6.1 earthquake Tuesday evening (Dec. 24), with 16 government agencies confirming no damage to critical infrastructure despite strong shaking across 10 counties and cities. The National Fire Agency (消防署) issued an updated final report after the 5:47 p.m. temblor struck Beinan Township (卑南鄉) in Taitung County (臺東縣), though authorities did not disclose inspection timelines or assessment protocols. Transportation networks, power systems, water supplies, and nuclear facilities all continued to operate without disruption following the shallow earthquake.
Taitung County experienced the strongest shaking, rated as Lower 5 on Taiwan's seismic intensity scale, according to seismic monitoring data. The earthquake occurred at a shallow depth of 11.9 kilometers (7.4 miles), approximately 10.1 kilometers (6.3 miles) north of the Taitung County Government. Hualien County (花蓮縣) and Pingtung County (屏東縣) recorded intensity 4 tremors, while seven additional counties and cities across central and southern Taiwan reported intensity 3 shaking.
The Ministry of Transportation and Communications (交通部) confirmed all major transportation systems sustained no damage, including Taiwan High Speed Rail (高鐵), Taiwan Railways Administration (台鐵), and four metro systems. Taipei Metro (北捷), Taoyuan Metro (桃捷), Taichung Metro (中捷), and Kaohsiung Metro (高捷) all reported no disruptions. National highways and provincial roads remained operational, with the Pinglin Traffic Control Center (坪林行控中心) reporting that National Highway No. 5 was clear of damage. However, authorities did not disclose the inspection procedures or service delays during safety checks.
Taiwan Power Company (台灣電力公司), the state-owned utility, reported all hydroelectric, thermal, and nuclear power plants plus transmission systems operated without incident. The Energy Administration, Ministry of Economic Affairs (經濟部能源署), confirmed that public gas systems, fuel pipelines, and power transmission lines were functioning normally. The Atomic Energy Council (原能會), Taiwan's nuclear regulatory agency, verified that nuclear power plants sustained no damage. However, the report did not specify which facilities were assessed or which safety protocols were activated.
Three major technology hubs reported no facility damage: Hsinchu Science Park (竹科), Central Taiwan Science Park (中科), and Southern Taiwan Science Park (南科). The Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (農業部林保署) confirmed two landslide-dammed lakes under special monitoring — Hsinchu Taigan Creek barrier lake (新竹泰崗溪堰塞湖) and Hualien Mataian Creek barrier lake (花蓮馬太鞍溪堰塞湖) — showed no abnormalities. The report did not explain monitoring methods or evacuation protocols for communities near these potential flood hazards.
Local fire departments reported two incidents of disconnections from a bottled gas pipeline in Taitung County, with emergency responders shutting off gas cylinders at both locations without any injuries. All other counties and cities reported no damage. The National Science and Technology Center for Disaster Reduction (國家地震工程研究中心), Taiwan's earthquake engineering research agency, identified 48 villages and neighborhoods requiring vigilance through its Taiwan Earthquake Loss Estimation System (TELES, 損失評估系統). The report did not specify which communities were included or what vigilance measures authorities implemented. ◼