Massive Earthquake Hits Taiwan

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Buildings collapsed and tsunami warnings were issued after a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Sunday.

In rural southeastern Taiwan, the 10 km deep quake hit the Chishang township.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) had also warned about tsunami waves along nearby coastlines.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency initially issued a tsunami warning for Miyako island in the East China Sea. The warning was later removed by the agency.

Several buildings collapsed in southern Taiwan following the powerful earthquake. It was initially rated at 7.2, but was downgraded to 6.9 by the USGS.

The island’s official Central News Agency (CNA) reported that four people were rescued from under the rubble of one building.

A train derailed in the area, and about 20 passengers were evacuated, but no one was injured.

Former presidential spokeswoman Kolas Yotaka, who is running for local office in Hualien county, said a local school also suffered damage.

Following the quake, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen activated the island’s Central Emergency Operation Center, warning residents to stay alert to aftershocks.

Taiwan’s defense ministry spokesman Sun Li-fang said about 110 soldiers were deployed in Hualien county on the island’s eastern coast to assist disaster relief efforts.

For more on this story, please consider these sources:

  1. Tsunami warnings issued after 6.9-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan  CNN
  2. Taiwan earthquake collapses building, rescue begins  Reuters
  3. Dramatic Video Shows Gymnasium Collapsing in Massive Earthquake  The Daily Beast
  4. Tsunami threat for Taiwan after 6.9 earthquake hit southeastern coast  CBS Philly
  5. Strong Taiwan earthquake traps people and derails a train  NPR