Taiwan was hit by its strongest earthquake in a quarter century, causing widespread damage and claiming the lives of four people. The quake struck during the morning rush hour, just before 8 a.m., and left at least 57 others injured.
In Hualien County, a five-story building collapsed, leaving the rest of the structure leaning at a precarious angle. In Taipei, tiles fell from buildings and debris scattered from construction sites. Schools evacuated students to safety, equipping them with helmets and textbooks for protection.
Train and subway services were suspended across the island, and traffic came to a standstill due to landslides and falling debris. Despite the initial panic, Taiwan, accustomed to earthquakes, quickly regained composure.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2 according to Taiwan’s monitoring agency and 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey, also triggered a tsunami that reached southern Japanese islands. The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a one-foot wave on Yonaguni island.
The quake was felt as far as Shanghai and southeastern China, with residents reporting violent shaking. In the Philippines, coastal residents were evacuated as a precaution.
While there were no reports of injuries or damage in Japan, the Chief Cabinet Secretary urged residents to stay on high ground until all tsunami advisories were lifted. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed no threat to Hawaii or Guam.
Taiwan, located along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” is no stranger to seismic activity. The earthquake serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.