A 7.2-magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, April 3, the island’s strongest in at least 25 years, killing at least four people, injuring dozens and triggering a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted, according to 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 around 8:00 a.m. local time, when people left for work and school.
According to the Central Meteorological Administration of Taiwan, the depth of the earthquake was 15.5 km.
The Japan Meteorological Agency said several small tsunami waves reached parts of the southern prefecture of Okinawa, but later downgraded the tsunami warning it issued earlier. It determined that the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.7.
The Philippine Seismological Agency also issued an alert to residents of coastal areas in several provinces, urging them to evacuate to higher ground. Taiwan also issued a tsunami warning, but reported no damage, and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii later said the risk of damaging tsunami waves had passed.
Chinese state media reported that the quake was felt in China’s Fujian province, while a Reuters witness said it was also felt in Shanghai.
Electricity operator Taipower announced that more than 87,000 households
Taiwan remains without power, adding that the country’s two nuclear power plants are 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 about 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 6 on the 1-7 scale, indicating extensive damage to structures and making it difficult for people to move.
Also read: VIDEO | Rescuers are being mobilized to reach the victims of the earthquake in Japan
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