(Multimedia) 7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan from China-Xinhua

TAIPEI/BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) — A 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the sea area near Hualien of China’s Taiwan on Wednesday, and caused the suspension of work and schools in Hualien.

The earthquake occurred at 7:58 am on Wednesday (Beijing time) and the epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, according to the Network Center China Seismic Surveys (CENC).

The Ministry of Natural Resources’ warning center issued a red alert for a tsunami shortly after the earthquake. The center later issued an orange tsunami alert.

Taiwan’s meteorological agency measured the earthquake’s magnitude as 7.2, saying it was the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years, since the fatal quake struck on September 21, 1999.

According to the agency, the earthquake was monitored at a depth of 15.5 km. The epicenter was located 25 km south-southeast of Hualien. The maximum intensity recorded was magnitude 6 in Hualien District.

Local authorities announced the suspension of work and schools in Hualien.

Strong tremors were felt throughout the Taiwan region. Xinhua reporters in Taipei experienced intense tremors as buildings shook continuously for more than a minute. The elevators in the reporters’ apartment building were suspended from operation.

Several residential buildings partially collapsed in Hualien, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Rockfalls have also been reported in mountainous areas.

A rubber factory building in New Taipei City collapsed due to the earthquake.

Subways in several districts and cities on the island were temporarily suspended. Taipei’s subway system resumed operations after being suspended for about an hour.

Several aftershocks above magnitude 5.0 hit Hualien and nearby areas.

Taiwan’s meteorological agency also predicted that magnitude 7 earthquakes could occur in the next three days.

Across the Taiwan Strait, tremors were also felt in Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu, on the Chinese mainland.