A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake rattled Taiwan, leading to the collapse of buildings and a resulting minor tsunami on the Japanese coast. As per the latest updates, the catastrophe claimed the lives of at least seven individuals and left over 700 injured.
Early Wednesday morning, Taiwan was shaken to its core by a powerful earthquake. The shockwaves were felt strongest in the island’s eastern city of Hualien, which was identified as the epicenter. This quake was the most intense Taiwan has experienced in a quarter of a century.
The US Geological Survey reported the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.4, while Taiwan’s seismic monitoring agency recorded it as 7.2. Regardless of the slight disparity in figures, the damage was extensive and far-reaching.
Seven people lost their lives in the disaster, with three believed to have been fatally injured by falling rocks. Over 700 individuals reported injuries, with more than 50 seriously wounded.
The earthquake wreaked havoc on the infrastructure in Hualien. Twenty-six buildings crumbled, trapping numerous occupants in the rubble. Rescue operations are currently underway in the city.
Footage from the aftermath reveals buildings leaning dangerously, with clouds of dust still lingering in the air. The tremors’ devastating impact is evident in the destruction left behind.
The quake’s terrifying power was captured in a video showing commuters on the Taipei Metro clutching onto poles and seats as the train swayed violently.
The earthquake’s force triggered a small tsunami off the coast of Japan’s Yonaguni island. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued an evacuation advisory for coastal areas near Okinawa, while Japan’s Self-Defense Force prepared for potential evacuations.
The agency predicted a tsunami up to 9.8 feet high for Okinawa. Aircraft were deployed to gather more information about the tsunami’s impact in the region.
The tsunami warning was later downgraded in Japan and canceled in the Philippines after the threat was deemed to have passed. However, the event served as a stark reminder of the power of nature.
Following the initial earthquake, several aftershocks, including one measuring 6.5 in magnitude, were felt. The US National Tsunami Warning Center initially announced it was assessing the event’s risk level for Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, and British Columbia. However, no threat was later identified.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center also confirmed that there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii or the US Pacific territory of Guam.
There’s been a significant earthquake in Taiwan and the scenes coming out of the aftermath are quite harrowing.
It’s currently 9 AM there.
My god. pic.twitter.com/rIii6mDMMl
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) April 3, 2024
The earthquake’s depth was recorded at 21 miles beneath the surface. This quake is believed to be the most significant since 1999 when a 7.7 magnitude tremor caused extensive damage and resulted in the deaths of 2,400 people in Taiwan.
Despite the morning’s calamity, life in Taipei seemed to return to normalcy relatively quickly, with people commuting to work and children heading to school. However, the scars of the disaster are far from healed.
The tremors caused power outages in several parts of Taipei and led to the temporary suspension of train services across the country.
