A devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan’s eastern coast, the strongest in 25 years, leaving behind a trail of destruction. The quake hit south of Hualien city at a depth of 34.8 kilometers, followed by powerful aftershocks that caused further chaos.
Reports have come in of collapsed buildings, thousands of homes without power, and a major highway shut down due to landslides and rockfalls. Tsunami warnings were issued in Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines, with waves observed along some coasts.
In response to the disaster, the Taiwanese military has been dispatched for relief efforts, and schools and workplaces have been suspended as aftershocks continue to hit. President Tsai Ing-wen has ordered an immediate response to minimize the impact of the earthquake.
At least 26 buildings have collapsed, over 91,000 households are without electricity, and significant damage to highways has been reported. Footage from the scene shows the extent of the destruction, with residents banding together to help those trapped in the rubble.
Tsunami waves were observed in Taiwan and Japan, leading to the suspension of flights in affected areas. However, the US Tsunami Warning Center has since downgraded the threat to an advisory, although coastal areas are urged to remain vigilant.
While the worst may be over, the people of Taiwan are left to pick up the pieces after this devastating earthquake. With ongoing relief efforts and support from the government, the affected regions will hopefully be able to recover and rebuild in the days and weeks to come.
“Social media scholar. Reader. Zombieaholic. Hardcore music maven. Web fanatic. Coffee practitioner. Explorer.”