The giant cliff at the top of Turtle Island, a famous tourist destination in Taiwan, collapsed into the sea after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake this morning.
The 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at 7:58 a.m. with the epicenter in the eastern part of the island of Taiwan, at a depth of 15.5 km, collapsing buildings in Hualien city. According to Taiwanese television station TVBS, the giant cliff at the head of Turtle Island (Guishan or Turtle island) was damaged and collapsed into the sea after the earthquake was considered “the strongest in the last 25 years on the island”. This.
The large cliff at the top of Turtle Island collapsed after the earthquake. Video: X/Insider Paper
Turtle Island is 10 km east of Toucheng town and is the largest island in Yilan County, northeastern Taiwan. Turtle Island is also home to the only active volcano in Taiwan and the only inhabited island in Yilan.
Looking back from afar, the island is shaped like a turtle swimming through the ocean, so it is called Turtle Island. In 1999, the Yilan County government submitted a petition seeking to turn the island into a tourist attraction and be designated part of the Northeast Coastal Tourism Area. To preserve the natural environment, the number of tourists coming to the island is controlled, with a maximum of 100 people a day.
Today, the island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Taiwan with the main entertainment activity being whale watching which usually takes place from April to October. The island is also only open to visitors from March to October. November.
Turtle Island seen from above when it was not damaged by the earthquake. Image: Taiwan Tourism Bureau
Although the island is small and deserted, Guishan has many sightseeing experiences such as conquering Peak 401 with panoramic views of the ocean, Guishandao military tunnel, Guishandao abandoned fishing village and Guiwei (turtle tail) lake and coastal scenery. beautiful sea.
Visitors to the island need to register in advance. The most popular means of getting to the island is by ferry, departing from Wushi port. An island tour costs from 1,200 yuan (nearly 950,000 VND).