Local media reports a chilling discovery as a fisherman in the Philippines reels in an Oarfish just hours before a devastating earthquake strikes nearby Taiwan. The fish, known as a ‘doomsday fish’, is believed in Japanese mythology to surface before calamities, adding fuel to superstitions surrounding its appearance.
The 53-year-old fisherman, recounting the eerie catch at 2 am on Tuesday, admits to dismissing such beliefs until now. “Superstition says this is a bad omen. Earlier I did not believe in it but now, I have begun to. I came to know that Taiwan was shaken by an earthquake after I caught the fish,” he shared.
The myth of the Oarfish as a harbinger of disaster gained traction after the catastrophic 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The eerie coincidence of the fish’s appearance preceding such tragedies has sparked speculation and fear among communities.
As the dust settles in Taiwan, the aftermath of the 7.4 magnitude earthquake leaves a sobering toll. The fire service reports nine fatalities and over 900 injuries, marking it as the deadliest earthquake in the region in the past quarter-century.
Despite scientific scepticism, the cultural significance of the Oarfish persists, intertwining ancient beliefs with modern-day anxieties. While some dismiss it as mere superstition, others can’t help but wonder if nature’s signs hold deeper meanings, serving as reminders of the unpredictable forces shaping our world.
