Image source, Getty Images
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast on April 3, triggering a tsunami warning for the island and neighboring countries. Nine people were reported killed, more than 1,000 injured, and more than 100 aftershocks occurred.
The epicenter is located about 18 kilometers south of Hualien City, according to the US Geological Survey. The earthquake occurred at a depth of 15.5 kilometers underground, and since the earthquake occurred, there has been shaking. Or at least 100 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or more.
Of this level of violence, this was the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years and sent tremors as far as China and Japan.
Japan Meteorological Agency A tsunami warning of a height of 3 meters is expected to hit the southwest coast. A wide area, especially around Okinawa Prefecture. Department of Geology of the Philippines Tsunami warnings have also been issued in several provinces. In addition to warning people to evacuate to higher ground
Before that later, Japan and the Philippines tsunami warning was canceled. The largest tsunami occurred in Taiwan, near the epicenter, with a height of 1.5 metres.
Chinese media reported this and residents felt the tremors in many areas of Fujian Province. Southeastern part of the country As in Shanghai, earthquakes were also reported in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Guangzhou and Ningde.
“The quake was very close. It happens very superficially,” said Wu Qianfu, director of the Taipei Seismological Center. “The quake was felt all over Taiwan and many islands. It is the strongest in 25 years.”
In September 1999, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, killing more than 2,400 people and destroying more than 5,000 buildings, making it one of the strongest earthquakes in Taiwan's history.
Taiwan earthquake damage
the current situation
The earthquake occurred at 7:58 a.m. on April 4, Taiwan time.
The vibrations continued for several minutes. This led to a power outage in many areas of Taipei City. It was reported that more than 91,000 homes were without electricity.
Taiwanese television broadcast images of some collapsed buildings in Hualien. Near the epicenter The quake also shook buildings in Taipei. It also fell terribly.
Hualien resident Ocean Cai told the BBC: “I was getting up from the alarm when the clothes hangers and cupboards fell. It was getting stronger. I was so afraid that things would be damaged.” But apart from the motorcycle accident the damage is only minor.”
Later, Taipei City officials reported that no damage was reported. The electric train returned to normal service. The same applies to the Science Park in southern Taiwan. In places where a major semiconductor factory is located, the factory is still operating normally.
So far, more than 100 people are believed to be trapped under collapsed tunnels and roads. The authorities are trying to provide urgent assistance.
The official number of people cut off or stranded rose from about 100 to 646 after cell phone signals were restored in the mountainous region today (April 4)…
One survivor described his experience as the earthquake caused rocks to fall from the mountain. Which he likened to a “rain of lead” while working in a coal mine.
Image source, Reuters
Things fell apart from the shaking.
A BBC correspondent's first-hand experience
Robert Wingfield Hayes, a BBC correspondent in Taipei, said he had lived in Japan for 10 years and was familiar with the earthquakes. But the earthquake that occurred in Taiwan this morning was considered the hardest time I have ever experienced.
He lived on the eighth floor of the building and felt the strong shaking. Until he had to cling to the edge of the kitchen table. To support myself as things fell around him. Although in Taipei up to 100 km from the epicenter.
As for the large construction site behind his residence. Construction equipment fell violently onto the road below. Although no one was hurt. But it is life threatening.
Talk to friends who have lived in Taiwan for a long time. Both locals and foreigners are saying that this is the strongest earthquake in at least 20 years or more.
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