9 Dead, Over 700 Injured As Powerful Earthquake Hits Taiwan

Deadly Earthquake Hits Taiwan, Quack was strongest in 25 years!!

Following a strong earthquake that shook Taiwan on Wednesday morning and registered a 7.4 on the Richter scale, at least nine people have died and over 700 have been injured. This quake, the strongest in 25 years, has left devastation in its wake, particularly in Hualien county where the epicentre was located.

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25 Years’ Strongest Earthquake Hits Taiwan, Devastation Evident

In Taiwan, the quake caused casualties and damaged buildings, with reports of nine deaths and over 800 injuries. Tsunami warnings were issued across coastal areas, including the Philippines.

Reports indicate that 26 buildings have collapsed in Taiwan, with ongoing efforts to rescue people trapped in the debris. The magnitude of the earthquake was evaluated at 7.2 by Taiwan’s monitoring agency and 7.4 by the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Train services were suspended across Taiwan, and there have been reports of damage to buildings, including the national legislature. Taiwan’s Central Emergency Command Center reports that over 91,000 households are without electricity.

Additionally, the earthquake triggered a landslide, adding to the destruction. Meanwhile, social media has been inundated with videos showing the aftermath, including a partially collapsed five-storey building in Hualien.

Not long after the earthquake in Taiwan, a tsunami wave as big as one foot was seen in Japan on Yonaguni Island. The magnitude 7.7 quake initially forecasted waves up to 3 metres high for Okinawa, leading to evacuations. However, the warning was later downgraded, and no significant damage has been reported in Okinawa.

Tsunami waves were observed at Yonaguni and Miyako islands, with smaller waves reaching Ishigaki Island. Despite the advisory being lifted, caution is urged, as aftershocks are expected, and residents are asked to stay away from the coast.

Other countries in the region, such as the Philippines, also issued tsunami warnings for their coastal areas. The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center states that neither Hawaii nor Guam are in danger.

Aircraft have been called in by Japan’s Self-Defense Force to monitor the situation and set up evacuation shelters. Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida expressed condolences to Taiwan and offered support, emphasising Japan’s readiness to assist its neighbour in times of need.