Four people have died and at least fifty have been injured in Taiwan’s largest earthquake in 25 years. The earthquake also caused building collapses, power outages, and landslides across the island and prompted the first tsunami warnings in southern Japan and the Philippines.
The earthquake, which began at 7.58 am and was rated a 7.7 by Japan’s meteorological office, occurred near the well-known tourist destination of Hualien on Taiwan’s eastern coast. It damaged buildings and trapped people in the wake of aftershocks.
Additionally, according to the government, the strong earthquake in Taiwan caused at least 26 structures to fall, more than half of which were in the county.
About twenty individuals are believed to be trapped in the wreckage of fallen buildings, and rescue efforts are currently under progress.
Video showing collapsing buildings
One of the videos that user Collin Rugg posted on X shows people fleeing the debris-filled area around a collapsed building. As the footage continues, skyscrapers can be seen trembling. “JUST IN: 7.5 magnitude earthquake strikes Taiwan, rocking the entire island and even causing several buildings to collapse,” Rugg said on social media after sharing the video.
A tsunami warning of up to ten feet was issued from Japan in response to the earthquake. “A tsunami is approaching.” Please go right away. Keep on without stopping. “Don’t turn around,” an NHK anchor advised. Taiwan’s east coast city of Hualien seemed to have suffered substantial damage. The city was close to the earthquake’s epicenter.
In a different video, passengers can be seen waiting patiently for the calamity to end while a bridge is severely shaking.