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A massive earthquake struck Taiwan on Wednesday, leaving nine people dead and many others missing or trapped in rubble. Authorities warned that dangerous aftershocks could rock the densely populated island nation for several more days.
At least 963 people were injured in the earthquake (magnitude 7.2 according to Taiwanese authorities, magnitude 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey) that struck near the east coast city of Hualien around 8 a.m. local time, Taiwan’s National Fire Protection Agency said. . Buildings were shaken and some damage was reported in Hualien, a popular tourist destination 160 miles south of Taipei. Aftershocks continued to occur one after another, reaching a maximum magnitude of 6.5.
Some buildings collapsed or remained tilted precariously, and many people were trapped inside the damaged buildings. Another 70 people were trapped in a mine in Heping, northwest of Hualien. A landslide on a highway left hundreds of thousands of frightened residents without power. The earthquake caused a tsunami warning to be issued for southern Japan and the Philippines, but it was later lifted.
“It was a very strong sound. I felt like my house was going to collapse,” said Zhang Yu-lin, 60, who works at a hospital in the capital Taipei.
The White House announced Wednesday morning that it was closely monitoring the earthquake’s impact on Taiwan and Japan. “The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance and our prayers are with all those affected,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrian Watson said in a statement.
Developmental status:
∎ Many aftershocks occurred across the country within 5 hours of the earthquake. Wu Qian-fu, director of the Taiwan Seismology Center, said aftershocks reaching magnitude 7.0 could shake the country’s 23 million people for another three to four days.
∎ Mr. Wu said he is investigating why the nationwide warning issued after the earthquake did not reach all Taiwanese.
∎ The US National Tsunami Warning Center said there was no tsunami threat to Hawaii, Guam in the US Pacific region, or the west coast of North America.
Earthquake shakes Taiwan:Largest earthquake in 25 years
Dozens of people rescued from trapped tunnel
More than 70 people have been evacuated from a tunnel near Hualien city, fire officials said. A video released by Taiwan’s National Fire and Disaster Management Agency shows members conducting search and rescue operations under a collapsed building.
Those rescued included two German nationals.
Video shows Taiwan shaking due to earthquake
Taiwan is prone to earthquakes and is located in the Pacific Rim of Volcano, where 90% of the world’s earthquakes occur. Emergency services are prepared for earthquake rescue and recovery. Videos on social media showed rescue workers using ladders to free people trapped through windows. Landslides were seen hitting roads and highways, and buildings were seen collapsing onto roads. The bridge shook and items on the shelves were scattered to the ground. Taipei’s subway system has reported some damage and was temporarily closed before partially resuming service.
Speaking outside a collapsed building in Hualien City, President-elect Lai Chingde said: “The most important thing at this time, the top priority, is to rescue people.”
earthquake
Rescue and recovery operations underway
The earthquake shook Taipei and caused power outages in several parts of the city. Elsewhere, authorities said they had lost contact with 50 tourists who were on four minibuses heading to hotels in the Taroko Gorge national park.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said she would deploy the military to assist with rescue and recovery efforts. He pledged that the federal and local governments would work together to “minimize the impact of the disaster.”
There was a shallow earthquake near land.
Wu said the epicenter of the earthquake was very shallow and close to land and was the result of the movement of the Philippine Sea plate. He said it was felt strongly in Taipei because of the “basin effect,” which occurs when earthquake echoes are trapped in soft ground.
The earthquake was the strongest in Taiwan since the 1999 Chi-Chi earthquake, which killed more than 2,400 people and injured more than 11,300.
Contributed by: Reuters
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