1. The Anxious Hearts Under Aftershocks

The earthquake caused significant casualties and devastation, with 280 aftershocks occurring within the first hundred days, including 120 that were perceptible. The strong tremor on July 17th resulted in 290 deaths and was particularly severe in Hsinchu Prefecture. People were fearful of the ongoing destruction of towns and the relentless aftershocks, as recorded in various diaries. Chang Li-jun (張麗俊) from Fengyuan wrote in her diary on May 5, 1935: "It was clear skies, and at 7 o'clock in the morning, there were two earthquakes. People fled like startled birds, afraid to return home to rest. The aftershocks refused to cease, prompting locals to seek temporary shelter, devising longer-term plans with cedar wood for pillars, wooden planks for walls, and lead sheets for roofs..."

Figure 8 May 3, 1935 The diary of Chang Li-jun
Source: The diary of Chang Li-jun, 1935, Taiwan Diary Knowledge Bank.
 

Figure 9 Displaced Victims Fearful of Aftershocks, Taking Refuge in the Square in Front of Hsinchu Public Hall
Source: Commemorative Pictorial of the Taiwan Great Earthquake of 1935, Yang Zhao-jia Collection (LJK), 1935, Digital Collection of Archives of Institute of Taiwan History, Academia Sinica.

2. Civilian Volunteer Medical Team

According to Yang Zhao-jia's memoirs, on the second day after the earthquake, he immediately visited affected households and rallied volunteers to form a "medical team" to treat the injured. The team included Dr. Chen Mao-ti, Dr. Chen Chun, and Dr. Wei Pin-zhang among others. These doctors generously donated large quantities of medicines. On the day of its formation, the medical team treated over three hundred people in Qingshui, and later toured Wuchi, Shalu, and other areas to provide medical assistance.

3. Support from Outside the Island

This event garnered international attention, prompting support from various sectors with hopes of aiding the affected regions in their swift recovery. Following the earthquake, spontaneous fundraising efforts were initiated by the public, and overseas Taiwanese associations in Japan mobilized their student members to conduct various fundraising activities. Even countries in Europe and America contributed donations. The Japanese Red Cross Society headquarters promptly formed an emergency rescue team the day after the earthquake, led by Dr. Yoshio Hirao with 21 team members, departing from Kobe on April 24th.

4. Unity of Government and People to Rebuild with Full Effort

On April 29, 1935, the Taiwan Governor-General's Office established the "Earthquake Reconstruction Committee," taking charge of fundamental surveys post-earthquake including streets, government buildings, public facilities, sanitation, residential areas, and industries. The committee aimed to facilitate self-reliance among the disaster victims.

Following the earthquake, the Government-General of Taiwan emphasized the utmost urgency in maintaining order and providing assistance to victims. Simultaneously conducting damage assessments, efforts focused on rescuing and relocating the injured and recovering the deceased. Local police were urgently summoned, and a mobilization of health department personnel, forensic experts, public health officials, youth groups, able-bodied men, fire brigades, local militia, social welfare organizations, and civil servants formed rescue teams to provide on-site support, transport supplies, and assist in rescue operations.

Due to the earthquake's disruption of communication, roads, railways, residences, and schools, essential infrastructure suffered damage, obstructing external communications. Transportation interruptions also hindered the delivery of materials for temporary shelters. Only after the restoration of railways did the pace of reconstruction and recovery accelerate.