On a seemingly ordinary Wednesday morning, the calm off Taiwan’s eastern coast was shattered by a powerful magnitude 7.2 earthquake. The tremor, striking Hualien County at precisely 7:58 am, sent shockwaves across the island, reverberating as far as the bustling streets of Taipei.
🚨BREAKING: 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan just moments ago #earthquake pic.twitter.com/SebWXh3wO8
— AJ Huber (@Huberton) April 3, 2024
The impact of the quake was immediate and devastating. Taiwan’s Fire Department reported a tragic toll: at least four lives lost and 97 individuals injured. Amidst the chaos, local news outlets shared concerns that some residents might still be trapped within the wreckage of their homes.
Wu Chien-fu, who leads the Seismological Center under the Central Weather Administration, noted the significance of the event, stating it was “the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan since 1999.” The quake’s ferocity led to the partial collapse of several high-rise buildings, while in other areas, it triggered landslides, adding to the widespread disruption.
In response to the disaster, Hualien took immediate action, halting the normal flow of life. Offices and schools closed their doors, and the high-speed rail network, a lifeline for many cities, suspended its operations.
The quake’s effects were not confined to Taiwan alone. Vibrations were felt in mainland China, touching cities as distant as Shanghai, as reported by the Global Times. The incident prompted international concern, with tsunami warnings extending to southern Japan and northern parts of the Philippines. In a direct response to the threat, Naha Airport on Japan’s Okinawa Island put a temporary stop to all flights, prioritizing the safety of potential passengers.
🚨BREAKING: Multiple buildings have collapsed in Taipei, Taiwan after a Pair of Massive 7.5 Earthquakes Strikes Triggering Tsunami Warnings pic.twitter.com/BmHrHXMoXA
— Suppressed Voice (@SuppressedNws) April 3, 2024
Further adding to the tension, Japan’s Kyodo News Agency reported the arrival of small tsunamis on the southern islands of Yonaguni, Ishigaki, and Miyako. Initial assessments had predicted a tsunami reaching up to three meters in height, but these fears were somewhat alleviated as projections were later adjusted to one meter.
