Earthquake News / Powerful earthquake hits Taiwan, intensity measured at 7.2 on Richter scale, tsunami warning

Earthquake News: A powerful earthquake occurred in Taiwan in the early hours of Wednesday (03-04-2024), shaking the entire island. Many buildings have also been damaged due to the earthquake. Taiwan Central Meteorological Administration said that strong earthquake tremors were felt in Taiwan's capital Taipei on Wednesday morning. The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning after the earthquake. Japan says the first wave of tsunami has hit its two southern islands. Japan has issued a tsunami warning for the southern island group Okinawa.

Tsunami warning issued

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a powerful earthquake of 7.4 magnitude occurred off the eastern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday. Due to the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued in southern Japan. According to the administration's seismological center, its epicenter was located at a depth of 15.5 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean, 25.0 kilometers south-southeast of Hualin County Hall, the Central News Agency reported.

An intensity level of 5+ was recorded in Yilan County in the northeast and Miaoli County in the north, while an intensity level of 5+ was recorded in Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City and Hsinchu County in the north, Taichung City, Changhua County and Went.

Appeal to move to safe places

CNA reported that due to the earthquake, metro systems in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung were suspended. A tsunami warning has been declared for coastal areas of Miyakojima and Yaeyama regions of southwestern Japan, as well as the main island of Okinawa in Okinawa Prefecture. According to NHK report, officials have urged residents of these areas to immediately move to higher ground or safe places.

7.2 Magnitude earthquake

The intensity of the earthquake in Taiwan has been measured at 7.2 on the Richter scale. The earthquake in Taiwan was so powerful that the tremors were felt as far as Shanghai. Chinese media says that earthquake tremors were also felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Xuanzhou and Ningde of China.

One person died, 50 injured

After the earthquake on Wednesday, Taiwan's fire department has said that so far one person has died and more than 50 have been injured after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake that occurred on the east coast of the island.

Buildings demolished

Buildings have collapsed in Taiwan due to the earthquake. People are trapped under the debris of collapsed buildings. Damage was reported in Hualien city, located on Taiwan's east coast, near the epicenter. According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was located about 18 km south of Hualien city.

Tsunami alert in Philippines also

After the earthquake in Taiwan, Philippines has issued a warning regarding the possibility of tsunami. The Philippines Seismology Agency has issued a tsunami alert for coastal areas of several provinces. People living here have been asked to move to higher areas.

Powerful earthquake

This is one of the most powerful earthquakes felt in Taiwan in the last 25 years. In September 1999, a 7.6 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, killing 2,400 people. Earthquakes are often felt in Taiwan, because the island is located near the junction of two tectonic plates.