Major earthquake off Taiwan coast, at least nine dead

NOS News•today, 03:14•Amended today, 11:37

At least nine people were killed in a major earthquake in eastern Taiwan last night. More than 820 people have been injured and fifty people are still missing. There are also people still stuck in tunnels or buildings. The quake had a magnitude of 7.2, making it the strongest in Taiwan in almost 25 years.

The quake occurred during the morning rush hour, shortly before 8 a.m. local time. The epicenter was in the sea, about 25 kilometers from the coastal town of Hualien. More than a hundred aftershocks were recorded in the hours after the major quake.

The people who are missing are travelers, authorities report. They were traveling in minivans to a hotel in a national park near the coastal town of Hualien. At least three fatalities occurred in the park. They were said to have been hit by a rock avalanche in the mountainous area. In Hualien, sagging buildings partly hang over the street.

A truck driver also died after his vehicle was hit by a landslide. President Tsai Ing-wen has promised that the army will be deployed in the rescue work.

Major earthquake hits Taiwan

The earthquake also caused damage in the capital Taipei, more than 100 kilometers further north. Facade cladding, among other things, ended up on the street. Items also fell over in many homes.

Offices and school buildings were evacuated and train traffic on the island was stopped. Hundreds of thousands of households were without power for several hours.

After the quake, the Philippines and Japan issued tsunami warnings, but only small waves were generated. The quake was also felt along China’s southeastern coast, such as in the port city of Shanghai.

China, which considers Taiwan a renegade province, was quick to offer aid to the island, but Taiwan has said it will not take advantage of it. Japan and Paraguay have also pledged assistance.

Taiwan regularly experiences earthquakes, but a quake of this magnitude does not occur often. According to the Taiwan Geological Survey, the quake had a magnitude of 7.2; American measurements indicate a force of 7.4.

In September 1999, Taiwan was hit by a magnitude 7.6 earthquake. 2,400 people were killed and thousands of buildings were destroyed.