Taiwan was hit by a devastating 7.2 magnitude earthquake on Wednesday – the strongest earthquake in at least 25 years. The Taipei government reported that nine people were killed and more than a thousand were injured.
In addition, 48 people are missing, including 42 employees of a hotel in a national park. Rescue teams use drones and helicopters to search for the missing. Dozens of people are said to have been buried under the rubble.
Metro shut down, air force planes damaged
The earthquake mainly affected the sparsely populated mountainous area of Hualien, near the epicenter, located off the island’s east coast. Many residents spent Thursday evening outside, fearing aftershocks. The earthquake was also felt in the capital. The subway stopped running there for a moment. According to the Air Force, six F-16 fighter jets were slightly damaged but are expected to be operational again soon.
The earthquake struck around 8 a.m. local time, just as many people were on their way to work or school. “It was the worst earthquake I have ever experienced,” said the operator of a guesthouse in the city of Hualien. She had to try very hard to calm her frightened guests. In the capital Taipei, more than 200 kilometers away, the tremors were still clearly felt. Aftershocks were also recorded.
Photos from Taiwan:
According to the Taiwan Meteorological Agency, the last major earthquake in Taiwan occurred in 1999, killing 2,400 people. 50,000 buildings were destroyed or severely damaged. It had a magnitude of 7.6.
Germans rescued
Two Germans were among the dead, but the Foreign Ministry in Berlin said they have now been rescued. “The situation is still confusing at the moment,” said a Foreign Affairs spokesperson. “We are following all the leads we have.”
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
