A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck Taiwan’s eastern coast, leaving at least nine people dead and over 900 injured. The epicenter of the quake was located 18km south of Hualien city, but its impact was felt as far away as the capital, Taipei, more than 100km away. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years.
The earthquake triggered tsunami alerts in nearby Japanese and Philippine islands, which were later retracted. The most significant damage occurred in Hualien, where buildings collapsed, roads were blocked, and train lines disrupted, isolating the remote region even further.
Rescue efforts are underway to reach 127 people trapped in collapsed tunnels and on mountainous roads along the rugged coastline. The narrow, winding roads and tunnels in the area have made it challenging for rescue teams to access those in need.
The earthquake also caused significant damage in Taipei, with collapsed residential buildings, smashed vehicles, and power outages reported across the island. The government is working to provide accurate information and timely assistance to those affected by the disaster.
Taiwan’s foreign office has expressed gratitude for offers of aid from allies like Japan and Paraguay. While China has offered assistance, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council stated that there would be no request for help from China due to sovereignty issues.
This devastating earthquake serves as a reminder of the seismic activity in the region and the importance of preparedness for such natural disasters.