On Wednesday morning, a catastrophic 7.4-magnitude earthquake, followed by a series of powerful aftershocks, struck off Taiwan’s east coast, resulting in the death of nine individuals and injuries to at least 963, as reported by the island’s fire department. This seismic event, the most significant in 25 years, wreaked havoc on structures, triggered landslides, and was felt in neighboring China regions.
Key Highlights:
- Numerous individuals are trapped in rock quarries and a highway tunnel.
- Reflecting on Taiwan’s history with significant seismic activities: A review.
Significant Details:
The central episode of this seismic activity occurred approximately 15 miles south of Hualien county, just before 8 a.m. local time, with Taiwan experiencing 76 aftershocks in under five hours, as per the Central Weather Administration. Efforts are underway by rescue teams to reach nearly 150 individuals reported as trapped due to the quake, with some being in quarries and others in a highway tunnel, alongside those affected by structural and road damages. The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has announced that the immediate tsunami threat has subsided, though it noted that additional warnings might still be issued by national authorities.
