Hualien, Taiwan – A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake rattled Taiwan early Wednesday morning, resulting in at least four fatalities and numerous injuries. The quake struck just before 8 a.m. local time, causing buildings to collapse in the eastern city of Hualien and generating a small tsunami along the coast of Japan’s Yonaguni island.
The epicenter of the earthquake was in Hualien, where the country’s fire department confirmed the deaths. This seismic event, the strongest in Taiwan in 25 years, left a trail of destruction in its wake, with at least three individuals believed to have been crushed by rocks falling from the mountainside.
Reports indicated that more than 50 people sustained injuries in the aftermath of the earthquake. Close to 26 buildings collapsed in Hualien, with about 20 individuals still trapped inside as rescue operations continue.
Distressing visuals from the scene showed tilted and damaged buildings, as well as the chaos aboard the Taipei Metro as the train swayed from side to side. The earthquake also caused power outages in parts of the capital city Taipei, leading to a temporary suspension of train services across the country.
As authorities in Japan issued an evacuation advisory for coastal areas near Okinawa following the tsunami warning triggered by the earthquake, the local community in Taiwan braced for aftershocks that followed the initial quake, including a 6.5 magnitude tremor.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center monitored the situation closely, ultimately determining that regions in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, British Columbia, Hawaii, and Guam were not at risk of a tsunami.
Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency measured the quake at 7.2 magnitude, while the US Geological Survey recorded it as 7.4 magnitude. The depth of the quake was reported to be 21 miles beneath the surface, marking one of the most significant seismic events in Taiwan since 1999.
In the face of this disaster, Taiwan and Japan are working tirelessly to assess the damage, provide support to affected communities, and ensure the safety of residents in the impacted areas. The resilience and solidarity displayed in the wake of this tragedy exemplify the unwavering spirit of these nations in the face of natural calamities.