Taiwan experienced a 7.2-strong earthquake, causing multiple buildings to collapse and tsunami warnings to be issued.
Yesterday’s earthquake in Taiwan caused many buildings in the east of the country to collapse, trapping people inside. Citizens of Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines have received tsunami warnings.
Yesterday’s earthquake in Taiwan:
Early on April 3, a strong earthquake struck Taiwan, causing buildings to fall and having an effect over the whole island, according to the AP. The US Geological Survey assessed the magnitude of the earthquake to be 7.5, although Taiwan’s seismic monitoring agency said it was just 7.2. Following the earthquake, officials in Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines have advised residents living near the shore to evacuate and have issued tsunami warnings.
The earthquake claimed the lives of at least four individuals and wounded around sixty more. During an early morning trip over the surrounding hills of the city, three individuals out of a party of seven were crushed to death by large rocks.
This earthquake was the strongest in 25 years, according to the director of Taipei’s Seismology Center, who spoke to AFP.
The earthquake is shallow and occurs near land. Wu Chien-fu told reporters, “It’s the strongest in 25 years since the 1999 earthquake. It’s felt throughout Taiwan and offshore islands.” He was referring to the previous comparable catastrophe, the 7.6-magnitude destructive earthquake that struck in September 1999 and killed 2,400 people.
According to Reuters, the strong earthquake was also felt by witnesses in Shanghai. According to local Chinese media, tremors were also detected throughout the Chinese province of Fujian, including in the cities of Fuzhou, Ningde, Quanzhou, and Xiamen.
Taiwan experienced a 7.2-strong earthquake, causing multiple buildings to collapse and tsunami warnings to be issued.
Earthquake Damage
Television video showed buildings in Hualien, in eastern Taiwan, trembling from their foundations, causing tremors to be felt even in Taipei, the country’s capital.
More than half of the at least 26 structures that have fallen are in Hualien, the epicenter of the earthquake. There are about twenty persons stuck, and rescue efforts are in progress.
There are several landslides and rockslides occurring on Taiwan’s eastern shore, according to reports.
It is noteworthy that the city government of Taipei has reported that it has not yet received any reports of significant earthquake damage.
Shortly after, the MRT in Taipei City began operating, according to Reuters. It also mentioned that the nation’s high-speed rail operator has not recorded any accidents or injuries on its trains, but it has warned of delays while checks are carried out.
at the meantime, businesses were working normally at Southern Taiwan Science Park, home of the semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines have issued tsunami warnings.-
“Taiwan may be affected by a tsunami that is caused by the earthquake. According to an emergency message released by the authorities, “a tsunami warning is issued to remind people in coastal areas to be vigilant.” This was reported by Reuters.
It further stated that Japan had also issued a tsunami notice for the Okinawa island group in southern Japan.
The earthquake occurred at 7:58 am local time, and the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast a tsunami of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in height. It was reported around half an hour later that the Miyako and Yaeyama island coastlines had probably been hit by the tsunami’s first wave.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reports that around 9:18 a.m. (0018 GMT), a 30 cm (1 foot) tsunami made landfall on Yonaguni Island.
Following the significant earthquake in Taiwan, the seismology office in the Philippines has now issued a tsunami warning in addition to Japan. The alert states that “high tsunami waves” are expected in the coastal areas of the Philippines that face the Pacific Ocean.
Additionally, it has recommended that people living along the shore in a number of provinces immediately evacuate to higher ground or farther inland, according to Reuters.