Rail services resume normal operations after magnitude 7.0 earthquake

Taipei, Dec. 28 (CNA) Railway and high-speed rail services across Taiwan returned to normal Sunday, after a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck off the coast of northeastern Taiwan the previous night.

The epicenter of the temblor, which occurred at 11:05 p.m. Saturday, was located about 32.3 kilometers east of Yilan County Hall, at a depth of 72.8 km, according to the Central Weather Administration.

Seventeen of Taiwan's 22 counties and cities, including Taipei and New Taipei, reported a seismic intensity of 4 on the island's seven-tier scale, data from the agency showed.

Due to the earthquake, six Taiwan High-Speed Rail (THSR) services were delayed that night as a result of post-earthquake track inspections, with the final northbound train, originally scheduled to arrive at midnight, failing to reach its destination until 1:50 a.m.

Meanwhile, four Taiwan Railway trains were temporarily halted. All services were resumed after inspections of tracks and power facilities were completed, with delays of just over an hour.

Both Taiwan Railway and THSR services had fully returned to normal as of Sunday morning, according to the rail companies.

On Taiwan's highways, no damage was reported, according to the Directorate General of Highways on Sunday morning.