How a Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake Reformed Taiwan's Emergency Preparedness
In the early morning of Sept. 21, 1999, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake rattled Taiwan, killing over 2,000 people, leaving tens of thousands injured, and destroying countless homes. In the immediate aftermath of what became known as the 921 or Jiji Earthquake, Taiwan began reforming building codes and disaster preparedness plans. Now, 26 years later, the earthquake is remembered through the annual disaster prevention and preparedness drills. In this episode of “Zoom In, Zoom Out,” the National Fire Agency's Disaster Preparedness Section Chief Lin Feng-chou joins us to discuss the 2025 exercises in Yilan and what lessons Taiwan learned — and is still learning — from the 921 Earthquake.
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When a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan on Sept. 21, 1999, more than 2,400 people died, tens of thousands were injured and buildings crumbled across the country. The disaster, called the 921 or Jiji Earthquake, not only devastated communities — it reshaped the country’s emergency response and building codes.
Twenty-six years on, the tragedy is marked each September with nationwide disaster drills. This year’s exercises, held from Sept. 17 to 19 in Yilan County and New Taipei, tested the ability to respond to both earthquakes and tsunamis.
The National Fire Agency’s division chief for disaster preparedness and response Lin Feng-chou said, “Looking back at the 921 Earthquake, the first thing that comes to mind is the high casualty count and collapsed buildings,” adding that “domestic search and rescue efforts back then were in fact very weak. We also saw many international teams coming to Taiwan to help with the response efforts.”
“We realized that there’s room to improve our equipment and rescue mechanisms,” Lin added.
The drills simulated a magnitude-8.5 earthquake in the Ryukyu Trench and a tsunami hitting Taiwan’s east coast 20 minutes later. “In past drills, we mainly focused on earthquake response,” Lin said. “This year’s exercises include a tsunami disaster drill.”
Residents of Yilan County’s Zhuangwei and Wujie townships received emergency alerts and practiced coastal evacuations. Vulnerable groups, including nursing home residents, migrant workers and people with disabilities were part of the exercise. “Through these simulations, they can practice how to evacuate within a time constraint,” Lin said.
The three-day program involved mobilized rescue teams from across Taiwan, as well as military and medical units. Camps were set up in Yilan County and New Taipei to coordinate operations, while civic groups such as the Tzu Chi Foundation supported evacuation and relief effort drills.
On Sept. 19, responders demonstrated tsunami rescues using drones with AI recognition software, lifeboats and backup communication systems such as radios and low-orbit satellites to simulate power and network outages.
International participation also played a role. Poland’s Center for International Aid and Japanese NGO Peace Winds Japan sent medical teams, while the American Institute in Taiwan observed the drills.
“The first thing about this year’s National Disaster Prevention Day is that it doesn’t follow a script,” said Chen Chung-yueh, commissioner of the New Taipei Fire Department. “After we got an order in the morning, we came up with scenarios on the spot and turned them into an exercise.”
Lin said the purpose is to keep preparedness ingrained. “Through preparation and drills, people will be able to respond to large-scale disasters with clearer action plans and concrete steps,” he said.
