VIDEOS: Strong earthquakes in Taiwan trigger tsunami warnings in Japan and the Philippines

Written in GLOBAL he 2/4/2024 · 23:22 pm

Two powerful earthquakes – the strongest of which magnitude 7.7 on the Richter Scale – shook Taiwan, in East Asia, on Tuesday night (2), Wednesday morning (3) local time, causing chaos in a region already familiar with earthquakes. Local and international authorities have issued tsunami warnings to Japan and the Philippines.

Initial reports indicate that the epicenter of the earthquake was near the east coast of Taiwan. Local authorities report that buildings collapsed in the city of Hualien and people were trapped in the rubble. So far, however, there is no information about victims.

It is the strongest earthquake to hit the Asian nation since 1999. The tremor was so devastating that authorities in Okinawa, Japan, issued tsunami warnings.

Impressive videos circulating on social media show the sea rapidly receding in Japanese coastal regions – an indication that giant waves may be forming. In the Philippines, tsunami warnings and evacuation orders were also issued.

Experts warn that the region, known as the Pacific Ring of Fire, is highly susceptible to earthquakes due to the constant movement of tectonic plates.

*Material being updated