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The Chi-Chi, Taiwan Earthquake, September 21, 1999
September 21, 1999--A major earthquake struck the island of Taiwan on Tuesday, September 21, at 1:47 a.m. local time. The earthquake was epicentered near Chi-Chi in Nantou County, approximately 100 miles (160 km) southwest of the capital Taipei.
The U.S. Geological Survey reports a magnitude of 7.6. A large number of buildings were collapsed by the temblor and the Taiwan Ministry of the Interior reports more than 2,000 dead, 5,276 injured, and more than 2,600 missing and believed to be trapped within the ruins. An additional 100,000 are left homeless. Numerous aftershocks have shaken the region. The largest, measuring magnitude 6.5, occurred on Sunday, September 25.
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