The World Of Tzu Chi(Vol.115).

2019 • 10 28 pecial Feature registering a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale, resulting in extensive damage across Nantou and Taichung. Casualties were also reported in the southern regions of Changhua, Yunlin and Chiayi, as well as the northern regions of Miaoli and Taipei. Minutes before the onset of the quake, Tzu Chi Commissioner Lin Shen was fast asleep after a long day at work. She recalled experiencing a mild rocking sensation, but was only alerted to imminent harm when the O n September 21, 1999, a wave of violent tremors lasting 102 seconds coursed through Taiwan at 1.47 a.m., rousing everyone on the island from their slumber, fleeing in alarm. Those who were unable to escape in time perished in the disaster, which claimed 2,415 lives and destroyed 108,000 residential structures across Taiwan. The 1999 Jiji earthquake, also dubbed the 921 earthquake, hit hardest in Jiji Township in Nantou County – the epicentre of the island – The day the earth gave way On the night the 1999 Jiji earthquake shook Taiwan to its core, the instinctive response of Tzu Chi volunteers was of selfless service: saving lives was the primary concern on their minds, even though their own families were impacted by the disaster. Written by Ye Zi-hao Translated by Kithanjeele Photograph courtesy of Wang Yi-fan Information compiled by Zhang Li-yun, Zhang Mei-ling, Zheng Shu-zhen, Shi Jin-yu and Hsu Kun-long