TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Millions of mobile phones across Taiwan blared with simulated earthquake and tsunami warnings Monday (Sept. 21) morning. The drill marked National Disaster Prevention Day (國家防災日), commemorating the 27th anniversary of the 1999 Jiji earthquake (921大地震). The disaster killed more than 2,400 people.
Here is what happened during the three-wave alert sequence, how residents were advised to respond, and why this annual exercise matters.
The Central Weather Administration (中央氣象署) sent the first alert at 9:21 a.m., simulating a magnitude 7.3 earthquake centered in Taitung County along the Longitudinal Valley Fault in eastern Taiwan. All mobile phones nationwide received the test simultaneously.
A second alert followed at 9:30 a.m., sending tsunami warnings to coastal townships. The sequence concluded at 10 a.m. with a tsunami cancellation alert.
Upon receiving the alert, residents were advised to perform "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" (趴下、掩護、穩住). The protocol instructs people to drop to their hands and knees to prevent being knocked down. They should take cover under a sturdy desk or table to protect the head and neck, and hold on until shaking stops.
The date commemorates the Sept. 21, 1999, Jiji earthquake, which struck at 1:47 a.m. near Nantou County. The disaster killed 2,415 people and caused NT$300 billion (around US$9.4 billion) in damage. The following year, Taiwan enacted the Disaster Prevention and Protection Act (災害防救法), establishing the annual drill.
This year's exercise extended far beyond mobile alerts. The Ministry of Interior (內政部) mobilized 19 counties and cities, 17 central government ministries, and Taiwan's three major telecommunications companies. Representatives from 36 countries observed the drills.
On Sunday, Kaohsiung held its own high-stakes drill at the Nanzih Fire Training Center (楠梓消防訓練中心). Nine elite rescue teams competed in the "Kaohsiung City Year 115 Mass Casualty Incident First Responder Competition" (高雄市115年大量傷病患第一線應變人員競賽). The exercise tested their ability to triage, command, and evacuate patients under pressure.
The competition marked the first time Kaohsiung fully implemented the Incident Command System (ICS) in such an exercise. Teams from eight rescue squads and Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital's emergency department faced three escalating stages: safety assessment, multi-casualty scenario response, and a comprehensive final simulating a large-scale disaster.
The Kaohsiung Fire Bureau (高雄市消防局) said the realistic, high-pressure simulations help volunteer firefighters familiarize themselves with mass casualty response procedures before real disasters occur. The goal, the bureau told local media, is to reduce panic and confusion when emergencies strike.
Physical exercises also took place in Taitung and Hualien counties last week, simulating bridge collapses and search-and-rescue operations.
Among the international observers were Jonas Oehman, founder of the Ukrainian support organization Blue and Yellow. Also present was Janis Karlsbergs of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence.
"This drill involved a large number of volunteers, civil organizations, religious and charitable groups," Oehman told reporters in Taitung. "Working together with government departments — this is a key element in enhancing social resilience."
Taiwan has trained more than 176,000 certified disaster prevention specialists, or "bosai-shi" (防災士). The government has also established over 275 Taiwan Civilian Emergency Response Teams with more than 5,000 members.
Twenty-seven years after the Jiji earthquake reshaped Taiwan's approach to disaster management, Monday's drill served as both a memorial and a reminder. For residents, the blaring alert was a prompt to practice. For officials, it was a test of systems they hope will never be needed in earnest. ◼ (At time of reporting, US$1 equals approximately NT$31.77)