On February 6, 11:50pm, a 6.0 magnitude earthquake – centered 18 kilometers northeast of Hualien, off the eastern coast – struck Taiwan. Local authorities report two dead and over 200 injured in the Hualian area. Four buildings have collapsed, two bridges – Qixing Tan and Hualian Bridge – are currently closed. Su-Hua Highway was temporarily closed but is now opened. Sections of National Highway 9 and Municipal Highway 193 are currently closed. Please contact Hualian City Offices if you are in need of urgent assistance (03) 832-2141. For the latest information and resources, please visit www.hualien.gov.tw
We strongly encourage U.S. citizens in Taiwan to reach out to family and friends directly to assure them you are okay. If you use social media, be sure to update your status. If you are in a safe location, please shelter in place. Only if you require emergency medical assistance or need to report a fire, dial 119. If you need emergency police assistance, dial 110.
Please continue to monitor the American Institute in Taiwan’s website for updated information and consult the Country Specific Information for Taiwan, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
AIT will also be sending updates out through our official LINE account AIT AMCIT. If you would like regular updates from our LINE account, please join our LINE group by searching account ID @zug3675y.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s website where Worldwide Caution, Taiwan Specific Information, Travel Warnings, and Travel Alerts can be found. Follow us on the Bureau of Consular Affairs page on Facebook, and download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes or Google Play to have travel information at your fingertips.
All U.S. citizens in Taiwan are encouraged to enroll online in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Registering gives U.S citizens access to updated information on travel and security within Taiwan and makes it easier for AIT to contact citizens in case of emergency.
For any emergencies involving U.S. citizens, please contact the American Citizen Services Unit of the American Institute in Taiwan.
AIT Taipei Office:
No. 7, Lane 134, Sec. 3, XinYi Road, Da-an District, Taipei City 10659
Phone: (02) 2162-2000; Fax: (02) 2162-2239; After-Hours Emergency: (02) 2162-2000
Email: TaipeiACS@state.gov
Website
AIT Kaohsiung Office:
5th Floor, No. 88, Chenggong 2nd Road, Qianzhen District, Kaohsiung City 80661
Phone: (07) 335-5006; Fax: (07) 338-0552; After-Hours Emergency: (02) 2162-2000
Email: TaipeiACS@state.gov
Website
Calling from Outside of Taiwan:
Call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
