Taiwanese authorities indicated that the earthquake and its aftershocks were the most intense on the island in 25 years.
A powerful earthquake with a magnitude greater than 7 caused at least nine deaths and hundreds of injuries in Taiwan, as well as damage to dozens of buildings and tsunami alerts on the east coast of Asia, which were eventually dismissed.
Taiwanese authorities indicated that the earthquake and its aftershocks were the most intense on the island in 25 years, and warned that more aftershocks may occur in the coming days.
The seven deaths occurred in Hualien County, the closest point to the earthquake’s epicenter. In addition, the fire department reported that more than 934 people were injured by the earthquake, without specifying the severity.
“Everything was shaking violently. The pictures on the wall, the television, and the liquor cabinet fell,” said a resident of the city of Hualien to local television SET TV.
In that port city, located on the east coast of Taiwan, two buildings collapsed due to the shaking, firefighters said, fearing that people may be trapped among the ruins.
A warehouse also collapsed in New Taipei City, in the north, but the mayor explained that they had managed to rescue 50 people alive from the rubble.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported that Wednesday’s earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4 and occurred just before 08:00 local time. The Taiwanese meteorological agency estimated the magnitude at 7.2, while the Japanese agency calibrated it at 7.5.
The epicenter was located 18 kilometers south of Hualien, with a depth of 34.8 km.
“The earthquake was close to the surface and shallow. It was felt throughout Taiwan and the islands (…). It is the strongest in 25 years,” said Wu Chien-fu, director of the Taiwanese Seismological Center.
In September 1999, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed about 2,400 people in Taiwan, which is still the deadliest natural disaster in the history of the territory.
Taiwan’s President, Tsai Ing-wen, called for coordination between local and central agencies and announced that the military would provide support in rescue and relief efforts.
Strict building regulations and social awareness of such disasters appear to have prevented a greater catastrophe in Taiwan, which is regularly affected by earthquakes due to its location between two tectonic plates.
