At least 28 buildings collapse in Taiwan due to earthquake

The strong earthquake that hit Taiwan on Tuesday (April 2, 2024) collapsed at least 28 buildings across the country, more than half of which were in the city of Hualien, in the east of the island. The 7.4 magnitude tremor killed 9 people, injured 934 and left at least 50 missing. It is the strongest recorded on the island in 25 years.

https://twitter.com/NFA_TAIWAN/status/1775432385590702374, of the total number of buildings that fell, 17 were in Hualien, a city located 18 km from the epicenter of the tremor. One collapse occurred in Yilan, 2 in Keelung and another 8 in New Taipei, the largest city in Taiwanese territory, in the north of the island.

Watch the video showing the damage in Taiwan (2min43s):

Landslides were also recorded in the region hit by the earthquake and damage to buildings. Rescue teams are working to rescue 56 people who were trapped in the rubble.

There is no consensus on the intensity of the tremor:

• the USGS (United States Geological Survey, in the translation of the acronym into Portuguese) speaks of magnitude 7.4;
• The JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) says the magnitude was 7.5 to 7.7;
• and Taiwan says the quake was magnitude 7.2.

Taiwan recorded 76 aftershocks in less than 5 hours after the earthquake, with 13 of them having magnitudes greater than 5.

Japan and the Philippines even issued tsunami warnings. Residents of coastal areas were advised to look for high ground and stay away from the coast. The phenomenon did not materialize and the alert was cancelled.