Eastern Taiwan drill simulates magnitude 7.3 earthquake

Taipei, Sept. 17 (CNA) A three-day disaster response exercise began in eastern Taiwan on Thursday, simulating a major earthquake that severed transportation links and testing authorities' ability to deliver aid and restore critical infrastructure.

Running through Saturday, the exercise is part of Taiwan's annual earthquake drills -- a two-month campaign held every September and October. The drills mark National Disaster Prevention Day on Sept. 21, which commemorates Taiwan's devastating 1999 Jiji earthquake.

The scenario for Thursday's drill involved a magnitude 7.3 earthquake along the southern segment of the earthquake-prone Huatung Longitudinal Valley Fault, resulting in widespread road closures and isolating several communities in eastern Taiwan, according to the Executive Yuan.

In response, officials used Hualien County's Hoping Industrial Port as a primary rescue hub. Personnel practiced procedures for receiving foreign vessels, customs processing, coastal defense, fuel and supply logistics, and cross-regional road and rail transport, the Executive Yuan said in a news release.

At Hoping Power Plant, personnel practiced a coordinated response during a simulated earthquake-induced ammonia leak and tank fire. Plant staff reduced power generation while crews wearing hazardous materials protective gear entered the facility to stop the leak and extinguish the fire, the Executive Yuan said.

Speaking to reporters while inspecting the drill, Interior Minister Liu Shyh-fang (劉世芳) said the exercise brought together more than 1,300 participants from central and local government agencies.

The Interior Ministry said the drill drew more than 200 international observers, including foreign representative office staff and delegates attending the second Resilient Taiwan for Sustainable Democracy International Forum, hosted by the Presidential Office over the weekend.