TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) said on Thursday morning (April 4) that more than 70% of its production lines have resumed operations following a magnitude 7.2 earthquake the previous day.  

TSMC temporarily suspended operations and evacuated staff from its facilities as a precautionary measure after the quake. Once aftershocks subsided and inspections were carried out, it was able to quickly resume most production, per UDN.  

TSMC said Thursday morning that 70% of equipment at older fabs resumed production, while more advanced facilities, such as Fab 18 in Tainan, are more than 80% back online. 

TSMC attributed the quick recovery time to Taiwan’s largest earthquake in 25 years to its experience in earthquake response and disaster prevention, as well as regular safety drills. TSMC noted that some minor equipment was damaged on production lines, though precision machinery, such as all extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography equipment, was undamaged.

TSMC added that it was in close communication with customers, quickly conveying any delivery delays caused by the earthquake. TSMC said the tremor was magnitude 5 in Hsinchu, Longtan, and Zhunan and magnitude 4 in Taichung and Tainan Science Parks.

TSMC said it regularly practices safety drills in its annual operations and was well prepared when the earthquake struck. It noted that safety measures for staff and equipment at its facilities exceed standards required by the government, ensuring maximum preparedness in the event of a natural disaster.