Strongest 7.4M earthquake hit Taiwan in 25 years, creating havoc
The strongest earthquake of magnitude 7.4M hit south of Hualien City, Taiwan in 25 years which has killed and injured people. The deadliest earthquake hit Taiwan’s east before 8 a.m.
This earthquake has also triggered tsunami warnings for Taiwan and certain areas of Japan. Likewise, the Philippines also missed a tsunami alert and issued orders for people to evacuate from coastal districts following the Taiwan quake.
Hualian is a hilly and thinly populated city in Taiwan where the earthquake epicenter (earthquake source) was. According to the Fire Department of Taiwan (NFA), ten people have reportedly died and 1,099 people are injured. Rescue operations and efforts are underway.
Meanwhile, the Executive Yaun (the executive branch of Taiwan) has instructed the Ministry of Health and Welfare to coordinate with the Disaster Relief Foundation to establish a donation account to accept foreign donations.
However, authorities expressed concern that the death toll may rise further. There are also reports of around 705 individuals becoming stuck after at least 26 buildings collapsed due to the strongest 7.4M earthquake hitting Taiwan. Eleven people went missing.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was 18 kilometers south of Hualien City at a depth of 34.8km. However, the Meteorological Agency of Japan reported an earthquake magnitude of 7.7.
According to the National Fire Agency of Taiwan, the 7.2-magnitude hit the country at 15 km depth with 25 kilometers southeast of Hualien city.
A five-story building seemed severely damaged in densely populated Hualien with the first floor collapsing. However, the remaining stories got tilted at a 45-degree angle.
On the other hand, tiles from older buildings and some of the newer office complexes in Taipei collapsed. Taipei is the capital city of Taiwan.
Wu Chien-fu is the director of Taipei’s Seismology Center. He said the 7.4M earthquake that hit the east of Taiwan was the strongest in 25 years. The earthquake is shallow and occurred near land.
Wu also said people felt powerful earthquake throughout Taiwan and offshore islands. It is the strongest in 25 years since the 1999 earthquake. That was a 7.6-magnitude earthquake that resulted in 2,400 deaths in September 1999.
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