| Taiwan Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien after a large earthquake struck eastern Taiwan (Credit: CNA/AFP) |
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude greater than 7 this Wednesday left at least nine dead and more than 800 injured in Taiwan, caused damage to several buildings, as well as a tsunami warning on the east coast of Asia, which was suspended after a few hours.
Taiwanese authorities said the earthquake and aftershocks were the most intense on the island in 25 years. They also warned that other earthquakes could happen in the coming days.
All the deaths occurred in Hualien County, the closest point to the earthquake’s epicenter, in the east of the island, the Fire Department said. In addition, 821 people were injured, according to authorities, who did not specify the severity of the injuries.
“Everything shook violently. The pictures on the wall, the television and the drinks cabinet fell,” a resident of the city of Hualien told local channel SET TV.
Local media showed images of several buildings in Hualien tilted dangerously after the quake.
In New Taipei, north, a warehouse collapsed and 60 people were removed from the rubble, according to the city hall.
”THE STRONGEST IN 25 YEARS”
The United States Geological Center (USGS) reported that Wednesday’s earthquake reached 7.4 magnitude and occurred shortly before 8 am local time (9 pm Brasília time, Tuesday). The Taiwan Meteorological Agency calculated a phenomenon of 7.2 degrees, while the Japan Meteorological Agency announced 7.5.
The epicenter was located 18 kilometers south of Hualien, with a depth of 34.8 kilometers, according to the USGS.
“The earthquake was close to the surface and shallow. It was felt throughout Taiwan and the islands (…) it was the strongest in 25 years,” said Wu Chien-fu, director of the Taiwanese Seismological Center.
In September 1999, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed almost 2,400 people in Taiwan, in the natural disaster with the largest number of victims in the territory’s history.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen ordered coordination between local and central agencies. She also announced the Army’s support for rescue and relief work.
Authorities mobilized teams to remove rocks blocking roads towards Hualien. The highways leading into the city pass through many tunnels and authorities fear that vehicles have become trapped in the underground passages.
“We have to thoroughly check how many people are trapped and rescue them quickly,” said Vice President Lai Ching-te, who will assume the presidency in May.
Strict building regulations and awareness of this type of disaster appear to have prevented an even greater catastrophe in Taiwan, which is frequently affected by earthquakes due to its location between two tectonic plates.
TSUNAMI ALERT
The earthquake was felt throughout Taiwan and several aftershocks were recorded, including a 6.5 magnitude one near Hualien, according to the island’s meteorological agency.
In the capital Taipei, subway traffic was suspended for almost an hour and residents were asked to check for possible gas leaks.
Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC, the largest in the world, halted production at some units for a few minutes.
The tremor was felt on the other side of the Taiwan Strait, in the Fujian region of mainland China, as well as in the semi-autonomous city of Hong Kong.
It also triggered tsunami warnings in Taiwan, the southwestern islands of Japan and several provinces in the Philippines, which were lifted after a few hours.
In Japan, authorities temporarily suspended air traffic at Naha airport on the island of Okinawa. A Japanese government spokesman said no victims were detected in the region. The Japanese meteorological agency detected tsunami waves of up to 30 centimeters on some islands.
