A major earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale (according to the Euro-Mediterranean Institute EMSC) struck Taiwan this morning, killing 4 people and injuring 50.
The very strong earthquake collapsed 26 buildings in Hualien County and trapped at least 20 citizens in the debris, while videos show several buildings leaning dangerously.
Tsunami warnings were issued for both Taiwan and neighboring countries, notably southern Japan and the Philippines.
The epicenter of the very strong tremor is estimated to have been in a sea area off Taiwan’s eastern coastline, according to the Meteorological and Seismological Service.
WATCH: Dashcam captures 7.4 quake on highway in eastern Taiwan pic.twitter.com/P6oJetpML7
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 3, 2024
Small tsunami waves, no larger than a few tens of centimeters, were observed in the southern prefecture of Okinawa. Authorities downgraded the risk of a tsunami of more than 3 meters and lifted the order to evacuate coastal areas.
🚨BREAKING: Mutiple building have collapsed after two 7.5 magnitude earthquakes hit Taipei, Taiwan.
Japan issued an evacuation advisory for coastal areas near Okinawa after the earthquake triggered a tsunami warning.
The US National Tsunami Warning Center said it is “analyzing… pic.twitter.com/c8n7it5lQe
— Salt Flash (@SaltFlash) April 3, 2024
The earthquake was felt as far away as Shanghai, China, as well as parts of southern China. Beijing, expressing concern, offered to send aid to Taipei.
There were at least 25 aftershocks, five of magnitude 5 in the first hour after the quake.
WATCH: 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan pic.twitter.com/VqOBD9f95e
— BNO News (@BNONews) April 3, 2024
It is the strongest earthquake on the island “in twenty-five years,” according to the director of the Taipei Seismological Center, Wu Chien-fu.
“The earthquake occurred near the coast and at a shallow focal depth. It was felt across Taiwan and neighboring areas (…) It is the strongest in 25 years, since the 1999 earthquake,” he said, referring to the then 7.6-magnitude earthquake that killed around 2,400 people and destroyed or caused severe damage to some 50,000 buildings.
🚨#BREAKING: Multiple buildings have collapsed after a Pair of Massive 7.5 Earthquakes Strikes Triggering Tsunami Warnings
Currently, a pair of powerful, massive earthquakes has just occurred. The first one measured a magnitude of 7.5, followed by a 7.4… pic.twitter.com/XCKd7ocjel
— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) April 3, 2024
#Earthquake #Taiwan #Fears #victims #buildings #fell #video
