Magnitude 5.7 aftershock keeps Tainan area on edge

Taipei, Jan. 26 (CNA) A magnitude 5.7 earthquake that struck in a mountainous area near the border between Tainan and Chiayi County at 7:38 a.m. Sunday continued to keep the area on edge after having been shaken by earthquakes since early Tuesday.

Sunday morning's earthquake, felt across Taiwan, was centered in Tainan's Nanxi District, about 41.3 kilometers east-northeast of Tainan City Hall, at a depth of 8.1 km, according to the Central Weather Administration (CWA).

It was one of 39 aftershocks of magnitude 4.0 or above, accompanied by 73 aftershocks between magnitude 3.0 and 3.9, that have peppered the area since a magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit nearby Dapu in Chiayi County early on Jan. 21.

The possibility of the occurrence of an earthquake of magnitude 5 or above in the coming week could not be ruled out, the CWA said, which would only deal another blow to an already hard-hit area.

Due to the high frequency of the temblors, the reported number of damaged houses in the Nanxi area alone has risen to 1,600, and the severity of damage has increased, according to Tainan authorities.

The Nanxi District disaster shelter has housed 84 people and is close to being full, but the city said it will provide financial aid to help the evacuees rent temporary places to live.

There has been less damage reported on the Chiayi side despite the mainshock occurring there, though there were reports of people being injured and hospitalized, as well as damage to houses in the Dapu area.

Sunday's earthquake was also strong enough to bring two northbound high speed rail trains operating in Chiayi and Tainan to a temporary halt, and later trains were operated at slower speeds while the line's operator checked for potential damage in higher risk areas.

The CWA attributed Sunday's quake to the convergence of the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate, the two major tectonic plates that influence Taiwan and leave it vulnerable to earthquakes.