Taiwan Strongest earthquake in 25 years hits Taiwan, buildings damaged
An earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter Scale hit Taiwan on Wednesday (April 3, 2024), triggering tsunami warning on the island and neighbouring nations.
The epicenter of the quake was 25 km south-southeast of Hualien County Hall, with a shallow focal depth of 15.5 km, the Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported as quoted by Taiwan News.
🇹🇼A Major 7.4 magnitude #earthquake Hit #Taipei ,(Taiwan) and #Tsunami Warning Issued.
— imran ali (@imu07280300033) April 3, 2024
Let's pray for the safety of people of #Taiwan.
Stay safe Taiwan pic.twitter.com/KY2wJvUHGs
As per the United States Geological Survey website, the magnitude of the quake was 7.4 on the Richter Scale.
The quake’s intensity registered a 6+ in Hualien County and 5+ in Yilan County and Miaoli County. An intensity level of 5- was recorded in Taichung, Changhua County, Hsinchu County, Nantou County, Taoyuan, New Taipei, and Taipei, reported Taiwan News.
According to reports, several buildings collapsed in Hualien city.
The latest earthquake is reportedly the strongest recorded in 25 years.
🚨BREAKING: 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan #earthquake
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) April 3, 2024
The shaking was so bad that people commuting to work stopped.pic.twitter.com/jNgUZm9pMl
The extent of the damage caused by the earthquake is still not clear.
Several videos currently trending on the social media showed houses in various parts of the country were damaged following the quake.
Two buildings in Hualien City were tilting at severe angles after the quake, one of which is on the intersection of Zhongshan and Chongqing roads, reported Taipei Times.
Emergency responders are currently trying to rescue people from the buildings.
"The earthquake is close to land and it's shallow. It's felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands... It's the strongest in 25 years," Wu Chien Fu, the director of Taipei's Seismology Centre, was quoted as saying by BBC.
Meanwhile, the Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) network has suspended its service following the quake.
Visuals of a Swimming Pool when the 7.4 earthquake hit Taiwan. #earthquake #Taiwan #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/YsBgfO9e2g
— Aajiz Gayoor (@AajizGayoor) April 3, 2024
In 1999, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan and left 2.400 people dead and 5,000 buildings damaged.
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