A massive earthquake off Taiwan’s east coast has killed at least four people and injured nearly 60 others. The Taiwan Meteorological Agency recorded a magnitude of 7.2.
Power went out in many places and local and long-distance transport was interrupted. In addition, many houses collapsed and several people were still trapped under the rubble during the night from Tuesday to Wednesday. Other houses suffered heavy damage. Several regions of the East Asian island republic of Taiwan, such as Hualien and New Taipei, are affected. Major Taiwanese semiconductor manufacturer TSMC halted production and evacuated employees.
According to eyewitnesses, the earthquake was also felt in several cities in mainland China, including Shanghai. The Japanese government has recommended evacuating coastal areas of southern Okinawa Prefecture. Tsunami waves up to three meters high were expected there after a magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck the sea off Taiwan.
Filipinos must leave the coastal areas
The Philippines has also issued a temporary tsunami warning. High tsunami waves can last for hours. Residents of several provinces were asked to seek safety and leave coastal areas. Boats had to be moored, it was said. Both warnings have now been withdrawn.
The Chinese government asked Taiwan for disaster relief. There are always tensions between the two states because the Chinese government considers the island as its own territory, even though Taiwan has had an independent and democratically elected government for decades. Taiwan is located in an earthquake-prone zone on the boundary of the Eurasian Plate and the Philippine Sea Plate.
Strongest earthquake since 1999
According to Taiwan’s official news agency, the earthquake was the strongest on the island since 1999. It killed 2,400 people and had a magnitude of 7.6.
Source: Krone
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