Magnitude 5.6 Earthquake Strikes New Taipei City; Aftershocks Possible

An earthquake measuring magnitude 5.6 jolted New Taipei City's Shuangxi District on Saturday evening, July 26, 2026, at 8:36 PM. The tremor registered a maximum intensity of 3 in several areas, including Taipei, Taoyuan, Hsinchu, and Yilan counties, according to the Central Weather Administration.

The earthquake's epicenter was located 35.8 kilometers southeast of the New Taipei City Hall, at a depth of 95.7 kilometers. While the main shock was felt strongly in northern Taiwan, lesser intensities were recorded in central and southern regions. The administration has classified this event as independent, meaning it is not directly linked to previous seismic activity.

Residents were advised to remain vigilant, as the administration forecasts a possibility of magnitude 4 to 5 aftershocks occurring within the next week. This cautionary note aims to prepare the public for potential secondary tremors following the initial earthquake.

Celebrity Pan Hui-ju shared her experience on Facebook, describing the moment as "terrifying" while she was preparing to shower. She quickly dressed and moved to a doorway with her two dogs, admitting she was still shaken by the event.