At least nine individuals lost their lives and over 1,000 others sustained injuries in a powerful earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday.
The seismic event caused extensive damage to numerous buildings and triggered tsunami warnings that extended as far as Japan and the Philippines, although those warnings have now been lifted.
The earthquake resulted in substantial landslides, rendering several areas inaccessible and leaving dozens of people trapped, particularly in tunnels traversing the island’s mountainous regions. Officials have characterized this earthquake as the most severe to impact Taiwan in decades and have cautioned the public to expect further tremors in the coming days, according to a report by AFP.
Thanks to stringent building regulations and widespread public awareness regarding disaster preparedness, Taiwan managed to avert a major catastrophe in this seismically active region, which lies near the convergence of two tectonic plates. “We were exceptionally fortunate,” remarked Mrs. Chang, a resident living adjacent to a printing press warehouse near the capital. Although the warehouse collapsed during the quake, all 50 individuals inside were successfully rescued. “While many of our belongings fell to the ground, everyone remained unharmed,” she added.
Wu Chien-fu, the director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Centre, stated that this earthquake is the most powerful since a 7.6-magnitude quake struck in September 1999, claiming the lives of approximately 2,400 people—the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s history. The magnitude-7.4 earthquake on Wednesday struck just before 8 a.m. local time, with the United States Geological Survey pinpointing its epicenter 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Taiwan’s Hualien City, at a depth of 34.8 kilometers.
Tragically, three individuals from a group of seven hikers exploring the hills surrounding the city were fatally crushed by boulders dislodged by the earthquake. In addition, three others lost their lives when their vehicles were struck by tumbling rocks, and an additional fatality occurred at a quarry.
The National Fire Agency reported that all the fatalities occurred in Hualien county, and a total of 1,011 individuals across Taiwan sustained injuries, although the severity of these injuries has not been specified.
US Offers Assistance
In the wake of this devastating earthquake that resulted in hundreds of injuries and claimed the lives of at least nine people, the United States has expressed its willingness to provide any necessary aid to Taiwan. The White House stated, “We are closely monitoring the reports of the earthquake’s impact on Taiwan and remain vigilant about its potential impact on Japan.” Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the National Security Council, affirmed the US’s commitment to supporting Taiwan during this challenging time.