Rescue operations are underway in Taiwan following a powerful earthquake that struck off the east coast, claiming the lives of at least four people.
The quake, measuring 7.4 in magnitude, caused widespread destruction in Hualien, the city closest to the epicenter.
Director Wu Chien Fu of Taipei’s Seismology Centre described the earthquake as “close to land and shallow,” resulting in tremors felt across Taiwan and even causing landslides in the mountainous interior.
The National Fire Agency confirmed three fatalities near Taroko National Park, a popular tourist spot outside Hualien.
The impact of the earthquake extended beyond Taiwan’s borders, triggering tsunami warnings in neighboring countries.
The tremors were strongly felt in Taipei, where buildings shook violently and residents were evacuated from homes and schools.
Major Taiwanese companies like TSMC took precautionary measures, evacuating factories for employee safety.
However, they reassured that their safety systems remained operational.
Meanwhile, the quake caused power cuts, internet outages, and significant damage to infrastructure across the island.
With major roads and railways severed, rescue efforts in Hualien may rely heavily on air support due to the region’s rugged terrain.
This earthquake recalls the 1999 disaster when a 7.6-magnitude quake claimed thousands of lives and destroyed numerous buildings in Taiwan.
Neighboring Japan initially faced tsunami warnings but later downgraded the alert, urging vigilance for aftershocks.
Similarly, the Philippines and China experienced tremors but were spared from significant tsunami threats.
Source-BBC
