Earthquake leaves two Taipei buildings leaning to one side

In Taipei, the Hualien earthquake rattled buildings and left at least two of them visibly leaning to one side. Over on Chang''an East Road, the earthquake left one building pushed up against a neighboring building. A second tilted structure was found on Xinyi Road. After completing a survey of the buildings, authorities have allowed people back in, saying that there is no immediate danger.These two buildings look as if they touch, starting from the eighth floor. The one on the left leans toward its neighbor, and tiles on its exterior have come loose.The earthquake struck hard and fast, leaving a tilt in this building on Chang’an East Road Sec. 2. The nearby area was cordoned off and placed under traffic control. Meanwhile, some 100 residents and employees evacuated from the two buildings to the nearby Yitong Park.Hsu Kuo-yungMinister of the InteriorThe taller building – there’s a crack that’s only about one finger wide. In reality, the building just tilted a little. This tilt, at this moment, won’t pose an immediate danger.Chang Chin-feng Taiwan Professional Civil Engineers AssociationI have looked at its structure, pillars and floor system. I don’t think that there are cracks. Authorities said there was no immediate danger, and many of the buildings’ residents have returned home. The issue now is whether these buildings will be able to sustain more violent shaking in the future.