The largest earthquake in 25 years hit Taiwan, causing the collapse of dozens of buildings and damaging many others. According to various research centers, the magnitude was between 7.2 and 7.7. The government in Taipei said at least seven people were killed and more than 700 injured. Many may be trapped under the rubble. 101 aftershocks were recorded. The Japanese authorities issued the first tsunami warning in 26 years on the islands of Okinawa Prefecture.
The Taiwan Meteorological Agency announced that the quake had a magnitude of 7.2, but before At 4 a.m. in Poland, its Japanese counterpart reported that the estimates had gone up and it was raised to 7.7.
The epicenter of the earthquake was off the coast, about 25 kilometers southeast of Hualien County. According to Reuters, the shock was felt in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei.
The government in Taipei announced in a statement just after 8 a.m. in Poland (2 p.m. local time) that at least seven people were killed and over 700 injured.
Many people may still be under the rubble. Reuters reported before 8 a.m. in Poland that at least 26 buildings had collapsed (more than half in Hualien). At the same time, the agency noted, citing the fire brigade, that 22 people were rescued from one of the most damaged buildings, and only one is missing.
In the hours following the earthquake, 101 aftershocks were recorded, the strongest having a magnitude of 6.5.
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Taiwan. Kaoliao Bridge in the east of the country destroyed in the earthquake SAM YEH/AFP/East News
Local television showed footage from the city of Hualien. “This is the strongest earthquake in Taiwan in 25 years, since the 1999 earthquake,” said Wu Chien-fu, director of the Taipei Seismological Center, referring to the 7.6-magnitude earthquake that killed 2,400 people in September 1999.
“The authorities are now investigating what happened with the security alert because people were supposed to be notified of a possible earthquake, but only some of them received a warning,” NPR news correspondent Emily Feng, who is based in Taiwan’s capital, told the BBC.
Feng said that Taipei is calm because “people are prepared for such situations.” The correspondent also informed that there is electricity and internet in the capital.
Strong earthquake in TaiwanDANIEL CENG/PAP/EPA
Tsunami warning
Japanese authorities have issued a tsunami warning on the islands of Okinawa Prefecture. Waves about three meters high were expected. It was the first tsunami warning for Okinawa in 26 years, public television NHK reported.
The Philippine Seismological Agency also issued a tsunami warning. “High tsunami waves are expected in coastal areas along the Pacific Ocean,” the agency warned.
Residents in coastal areas in several provinces were advised to immediately evacuate to higher ground or move inland.
photo-source">Main photo credit: SAM YEH/AFP/East News
