Taiwan was struck by a powerful earthquake early this morning, leaving at least four people dead and the number of injured has risen to 711. Approximately 80 individuals are trapped under the debris, with some confined in buildings and tunnels across the city, according to officials reported by BBC. This is the strongest quake to hit the island in the last 25 years, as reported by agencies.
The U.S. Geological Survey informed that the earthquake had a magnitude of 7.4, with the epicenter located 18 kilometers south of the Taiwanese city of Hualien, at a depth of 34.8 kilometers. The Taiwanese service stated the magnitude of the earthquake was 7.2, at a depth of 15.5 kilometers.
Immediately after the quake struck Taiwan, tsunami warnings were issued for parts of southern Japan and the Philippines, but the threat later subsided, as per the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
The earthquake caused landslides and several buildings to collapse, according to local media. Footage of some of the collapsed buildings in Hualien was shown on Taiwanese television stations.
The Fire Services stated that two buildings had collapsed, and it is believed people are trapped under the rubble, as Voice of America reported. Over 80,000 households are without electricity. Aftershocks, one of which was a magnitude of 6.5, were also felt in Taipei, where the subway service was briefly halted but has since resumed.
