A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan on Wednesday the 3rd of April, the strongest to hit the island in at least 25 years, killing at least four people, injuring dozens and triggering a tsunami warning in southern Japan and the Philippines, which was later lifted, reports Reuters.
At least 26 buildings have collapsed, more than half of them in Hualien, where about 20 people are trapped and rescue efforts are ongoing. The earthquake there occurred near the coast at around 08.00 local time, as people were heading to work and school.
pic.twitter.com/jNisUQmhaV
— Northicewolf脫北者冰狼 (@northicewolf) April 3, 2024
According to the Taiwan Central Meteorological Administration, the depth of the earthquake was 15.5 km.
Heavy shaking on the new Zhongzheng Bridge in Tapai, Taiwan, during the earthquake. pic.twitter.com/k8wzbgbw71
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) April 3, 2024
Part of Highway 9 on the West Side of the Qingshui Tunnel in Eastern Taiwan has Collapsed due to a Rockslide from this mornings Earthquake which measured at a 7.5 Magnitude on the Richter Scale. pic.twitter.com/hGHavYxZy7
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) April 3, 2024
The Japan Meteorological Agency said several small tsunami waves reached parts of southern Okinawa Prefecture, but later reduced the strength of the tsunami warning issued earlier. It determined that the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.7.
The Philippine Seismological Agency also issued a warning to residents of coastal areas of several provinces, urging them to evacuate to higher ground. Taiwan also issued a tsunami warning but reported no damage, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii later announced that the risk of destructive tsunami waves had passed.
Chinese state media reported that the earthquake was felt in China’s Fujian province, while a Reuters eyewitness said it was also felt in Shanghai.
Electricity operator Taipower said more than 87 000 households
in Taiwan were still without power, adding that the country’s two nuclear power plants were unaffected.
Taiwan’s official Central News Agency said the earthquake was the strongest to hit the island since 1999, when a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed around 2 400 people and destroyed or damaged 50 000 buildings.
Taiwan’s Central Meteorological Administration reported that the earthquake in Hualien County registered the second highest intensity at magnitude 6 on a scale of 1-7, indicating extensive structural damage and making it difficult for people to move.
Also read: VIDEO | Rescuers mobilised to reach Japan earthquake affected
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