At least seven people were killed and several others injured in the powerful earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday morning. The intensity of the quake was measured at 7.4 on the Richter scale and is said to be the most powerful in the last 25 years after the 7.2 magnitude quake in Nantou county in 1999 killing more than 2,500 people.The Taiwanese government confirmed the four deaths reported from Hualien county. The number may increase as at least 26 buildings collapsed in the earthquake, more than half of which were in Hualien County.
Meanwhile, efforts are in progress to rescue at least 20 people trapped in the debris of the collapsed buildings.A tsunami alert has been sounded on Japan’s Yonaguni Island. Japan Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for residents of the coastal areas. Tsunami waves measuring about a foot high were detected on Yonaguni island, about 15 minutes after the earthquake. The Philippines also issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas. China has not issued any tsunami warning. The UG Geological Survey recorded the quake of 7.2 intensity at 7.58 am, 18 Km south-southwest of Hualien, and about 35 Km deep. Multiple aftershocks were experienced in Taipei, including one of 6.5 magnitude.
Train services in Taiwan were suspended following the earthquake. Electricity supply to more than 91,000 households was also cut as a preventive measure, according to Taiwan’s Central Command Centre.The videos of building collapse and landslides have gone viral on social media.