Check out videos as the strongest earthquake hits Taiwan:
On Wednesday, Taiwan experienced a powerful 7.2 magnitude earthquake, marking the most intense tremor to strike the island in over 25 years. The seismic event resulted in the loss of four lives, with numerous others sustaining injuries. The earthquake’s epicenter was located in the mountainous and thinly populated eastern county of Hualien. As a consequence, more than 50 individuals were reported injured in the affected area. The earthquake also triggered a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines; however, this warning was subsequently lifted.
Approximately 26 buildings, with over half of them located in Hualien, have collapsed following the earthquake. Rescue efforts are currently underway as approximately 20 individuals remain trapped under the rubble. Television stations in Taiwan have broadcasted footage depicting buildings in Hualien leaning precariously due to the quake, which occurred just offshore around 8 am local time as residents were commuting to work and school. The earthquake, with a depth of 15.5 kilometers (9.6 miles), was recorded by Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.
Videos have emerged on social media:
Now ahai again 🚨 – TAIWAN – Earthquake Taiwan in the swimming pool #Taiwan #Earthquake #Tsunami #TaiwanEarthquake #China #ishigaki #Hualien #Japan #Terremoto #OKINAWA #landslide pic.twitter.com/Kk2MGySyuP
— Adv Shah Fahad Wazir (@AdvShahfahad) April 3, 2024
Rooftop swimming pool during #Taiwan and #Japan #earthquake.#Tsunami warning has been issued.
Sending prayers for them 🙏🙏🙏📌#Taipei | #Taiwan #Earthquake #Tsunami #TaiwanEarthquake #China #ishigaki #Hualien #Japan #Terremoto #Okinawa #Hualien #TaiwanEarthquak #Japan pic.twitter.com/GiPEscGcn8
— #RahulAggarwal (@ImRahulAggarwal) April 3, 2024
#ÚLTIMAHORA | 🚨 Más imágenes del #sismo en #Taiwán que se sintió en Japón, además hay alerta de #tsunami#taiwanearthquake #terremoto pic.twitter.com/OwIJCPxApE
— POSTA México (@PostaMexico) April 3, 2024
There was just an earthquake in taiwan about 20 mins ago. #taiwanearthquake #taiwan pic.twitter.com/xZ1zVeZdmV
— Tina Tsai – Oh Snap! Let’s Eat! (@ohsnapletseat) April 3, 2024
Rooftop swimming pool spills over as 7.5 Earthquake struck Taiwan. Prayers for People of Taiwan & Japan #Taiwan #Japan #earthquake #Tsunami #TaiwanEarthquake pic.twitter.com/PTFlwCLLPJ
— Voice of Assam (@VoiceOfAxom) April 3, 2024
🚨BREAKING NEWS : Scary visuals coming from #Taiwan where a 7.5 scale earthquake hit today. A #Tsunami is also warned off the coasts of Japan? Prayers for their safety#Taiwan #Earthquake #Tsunami #TaiwanEarthquake #China #ishigaki #Hualien #Japan #Terremoto #OKINAWA #landslide pic.twitter.com/tsRielodbr
— WhatsThePoint🔥🔥🔥 (@photo_editor72) April 3, 2024
The earthquake also triggered a landslide, the footage of which has gone viral on social media.
The death toll from the significant earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday has now reached four, as reported by the national fire agency. All fatalities occurred in Hualien county, the epicenter of the quake, with three individuals losing their lives while on a hiking trail, and one fatality reported in a highway tunnel.
Sending prayers to Taiwan!