Leaders Online: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit the east coast of Taiwan on Wednesday morning. According to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration, this is the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years. The epicenter of the earthquake was about 18 kilometers (11 mi) south of the tourist attraction city of Hulien. Authorities in Taiwan have warned that several magnitude 7 earthquakes will strike in the coming days. (Taiwan Earthquake)
According to Taiwan's National Fire Department, four people were killed and about 57 injured in Hulien County after the earthquake struck just before 8 a.m. Local United Daily News reported that three hikers died after a crevasse collapsed in Taroko National Park near the epicenter.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning, sending tsunami waves off the coast of Taiwan and the southwestern Japanese islands. But no major damage was reported due to the tsunami waves. Tsunami waves reached heights of half a meter or 1.5 feet in Chenggong, about 100 km (62 mi) south of the epicenter.
A five-story building in Hulien has been severely damaged by a powerful earthquake. The first floor of this building has collapsed. The entire building is tilted at an angle of 45 degrees. Tiles have fallen from old buildings and some new office complexes in Taiwan's capital, Taipei. Some parts of the building have collapsed. Students in schools have been shifted to safe places wearing yellow safety helmets. (Taiwan Earthquake)
Train services stopped
Train services on the island of Taiwan with a population of 2.3 million have been suspended. Today's earthquake damaged the walls and roof of the National Legislature building, which was built before World War II.
Officials said they were only expecting a mild earthquake of magnitude 4 on the Richter scale. So they didn't alert people. But actually there was a powerful earthquake.
'Such a great tremor….'
ApAccording to reports, “Earthquakes are a common occurrence and I am used to them. But today is the first time an earthquake has scared me.” Said Hsien-Hsien Keng, a resident of Taipei. “I woke up with an earthquake. I have never experienced such intense shaking before.” He also added.
Memories of the 1999 earthquake are fresh
Hullien was hit by a deadly earthquake in 2018. As a result, a historic hotel and other buildings collapsed. The largest earthquake in Taiwan in recent years occurred on September 21, 1999. The magnitude of this earthquake was 7.7 on the Richter scale. It killed 2,400 people and injured about 100,000 people and destroyed thousands of buildings.
BREAKING: At least four dead in Taiwan after strongest quake in nearly 25 years, fire agency says https://t.co/yOk39XDgzC
— The Associated Press (@AP) April 3, 2024
#BREAKING Death toll in Taiwan earthquake rises to four, says national fire agency pic.twitter.com/qY8oZ9qvde
— AFP News Agency (@AFP) April 3, 2024
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