25 Years Later, Remembering The '921' Earthquake
September 21, 1999 is a day that still lives in the memory of Taiwanese people. Early that morning, Taiwan was struck by an earthquake that killed thousands, and while the country looks forward in hopes of preventing the next big disaster, the event left many with lasting memories.
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Reflecting on the "921" Earthquake: A Quarter Century Later
On September 21, 1999, Taiwan was shaken by a devastating earthquake that claimed over 2,000 lives. As the country reflects on this tragic event a quarter-century later, the memories remain vivid, shaping both the collective consciousness and disaster preparedness practices in Taiwan.
A Day That Changed Lives
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck in the early hours of the morning. Its epicenter was a small town in Nantou County, and left destruction in its wake. Over 2,000 people lost their lives, and more than 10,000 were injured. The aftermath saw over 50,000 homes rendered uninhabitable and countless schools damaged. For many survivors, the day is etched in their memories, and its impact is felt even today.
As Taiwan observes National Disaster Prevention Day, students participate in earthquake drills that both honor this grim anniversary and prepare for the future. Dora Chen, an 8th-grade student at Young Ji Junior High School, said she feels these drills are important. "If we didn’t have this kind of practice, the results would not be so calm,” she said.
The Chaos of Response
For first responders and medical personnel, the earthquake was a night of unimaginable chaos. Dr. Hung Hung-chang, now the director of the Ministry of Health and Welfare Nantou Hospital, was on shift during the quake and recalls the quick decisions he had to make in deciding who to treat, and who was too far gone. When people were brought in, he said, doctors didn’t do much triage. They separated people into only two categories: alive and dead.
Director of Nantou County Fire Bureau Lin Chung-chi has his own experience of navigating the aftermath. With power outages plunging the region into darkness, and knowing the water could run out, he chose to let a fire at a winery burn instead of putting it out. Besides saving water, that decision ended up being a good one for the community, as well. "That light made people feel a little more secure," he recalls.
Lessons of Resilience
In Taichung, remnants of the earthquake's destruction have been preserved. A school that was destroyed in the quake has now been turned into a museum dedicated to remembrance and education. Here, visitors can learn about the fault line that caused the quake and the importance of preparedness for future disasters.
Since 1999, Taiwan has made strides in earthquake resilience, altering building regulations and enhancing early warning systems. Yet, emotional scars remain. Lin Hui-chi, who was a teenager during the quake and now teaches at a school that was damaged by it, said her memories of that day make her scared of the dark even now. "If the electricity goes out, I become more nervous and scared," she said.
Moving Forward
As Taiwan continues to look ahead with hopes of preventing future disasters, the memories of the "921" earthquake linger even today.
