TSMC evacuates some factory lines after Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company evacuated some production lines after a major earthquake hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning.

The island was rocked by a massive earthquake that destroyed buildings and triggered tsunami warnings in Japan and the Philippines.

A TSMC spokesperson said security systems were operating normally.

“To ensure the safety of staff, some factories were evacuated in accordance with company procedure,” the person said in a statement, adding that the company was confirming details of the impact.

TSMC shares fell 1.5% in early trading.

The quake registered a magnitude 7.4 in Hualien County, the island’s largest quake since 1999, according to the US Geological Survey. Tremors were felt in the capital Taipei.

Reuters reported, citing Taiwan firefighters, that at least one person died and more than 50 were injured.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued tsunami warnings for some islands and regions in the country’s south, but later removed those designations. The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology also issued a tsunami alert for the country following the Taiwan earthquake.

Flight schedules have been disrupted in Japan, with some Japan Airlines flights canceled following the Taiwan earthquake.