As we pen this Supply Chain Matters blog, reports indicate that a significant 6.4 magnitude earthquake has struck an area just off the coast of Taiwan.

Initial reports indicate two dead and more than 200 injured, after buildings crumbled and trapped people inside.

The quake, that occurred at 23:50pm local time, was reported as centered in the East China Sea about 21 kilometers north-northeast of Hualien City. According to a report from CNN, the US Geological Survey indicates that light shaking was felt in the capital of Taipei, about 120 kilometers north of Hualien City. A subsequent 5.4 aftershock reportedly struck near Hualien City shortly after the larger earthquake, according to the USGS.

There have been several other strong quakes in the area in the last few days, and according to the web site earthquaketrack.com, 10 earthquakes have struck the impacted area in the past 24 hours.

Three buildings have collapsed, including the Marshal Hotel in Hualien City, and disaster response teams are in the process of responding to the affected areas of the island country.

High tech and consumer electronics supply chain teams are especially concerned to reports of significant natural disaster occurring near Taiwan since this area is an epicenter of advanced semiconductor fabs and various high technology and smartphone component designers and manufacturers. Such firms have managed to mitigate the effects of prior severe earthquakes, floods and typhoons, but every disaster brings its own unique disruptive implications.

As is the case with many of such incidents, it will take time for disaster and corporate response teams to determine the total extent of human casualty and to assess damage to civilian and business facilities as well as island transport networks.

Industry supply chain teams need to continue to monitor developments and eventually contact key suppliers to ascertain status.

Supply Chain Matters will continue to monitor business and industry media for subsequent reports and/or assessments.