Taiwan is grappling with the aftermath of its strongest earthquake in a quarter-century, as the death toll rose to nine this afternoon. The 7.4-magnitude tremor struck just before 8:00 AM local time on Wednesday, April 3rd, shaking buildings across the island nation and triggering panic. The epicentre was located near the eastern city of Hualien, which bore the brunt of the damage.
“This is a major disaster for Taiwan,” declared President Tsai Ing-wen in a televised address to the nation. “Our focus right now is on rescuing those trapped and providing medical attention to the injured.”
Rescue efforts are in full swing, with emergency personnel scouring collapsed buildings and tunnels for survivors. Over 800 people have been reported injured, some critically. The eastern city of Hualien appears to be the hardest-hit area, with reports of buildings shaken off their foundations and landslides triggered by the powerful tremor.
Initially, authorities issued tsunami warnings for Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan as a precaution. Thankfully, these warnings were later lifted after no significant waves materialized.
“We are relieved that the tsunami threat has subsided,” remarked Dr. Lin Chen-hsiung, Director of Taiwan’s Central Weather Bureau. “However, the danger is not over. We are still experiencing aftershocks, and the risk of further building collapses remains.”
The earthquake has caused significant damage to infrastructure, with roads blocked and power outages reported across the eastern part of the island. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.
Taiwan is a frequent target for earthquakes due to its location on a seismically active zone. However, the 7.4-magnitude temblor is the strongest to hit the island since the devastating 1999 Jiji earthquake, which claimed over 2,400 lives.
The international community has offered condolences and support to Taiwan in the wake of this disaster. Relief efforts are expected to ramp up in the coming days as the country begins the long road to recovery.
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