TAIPEI, TAIWAN: A powerful earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least nine people and leaving over 800 injured. The quake, the strongest to hit the island in decades, caused widespread damage to buildings and triggered tsunami warnings across the region.
Authorities warned of potential aftershocks in the coming days, emphasizing the need for continued vigilance. Despite the severity of the quake, Taiwan’s strict building regulations and public disaster preparedness helped mitigate the extent of the damage.
The magnitude-7.4 quake struck near Taiwan’s Hualien City, with reports of casualties and structural collapses in the affected areas. Dramatic footage circulated on social media showed buildings swaying and crumbling as the tremors hit.
Rescue efforts were underway to assist those trapped in the rubble, with authorities coordinating relief operations and mobilizing military support. President Tsai Ing-wen called for swift action to ensure the safety of affected communities.
While initial tsunami warnings were issued for Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later declared that the threat had largely subsided. Nevertheless, the earthquake’s impact reverberated across the region, with reports of tremors felt in China’s Fujian province and Hong Kong.
The earthquake’s aftermath disrupted operations at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and halted construction activities, underscoring the broader economic repercussions of natural disasters in the region.
Taiwan, situated near the junction of tectonic plates, experiences frequent seismic activity, highlighting the ongoing challenges in managing disaster risk in the area.
