7.4 earthquake in Taiwan. People trapped after 26 buildings collapsed. 9 injured on a highway. Tsunami alerts in three countries

An underwater earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck near Taiwan on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings in Taiwan as well as the Japanese islands of Okinawa and the Philippines. Several people are trapped, after at least 26 buildings collapsed, and 9 people were injured on a highway, reports CNN.

More people are stranded in Taiwan after the strong earthquake that struck the island early Wednesday caused the collapse of at least 26 buildings, according to Taiwan’s Central Emergency Command Center (CEOC). There are reports that there are people trapped in seven of the buildings, CEOC added. Among the collapsed buildings, 15 are in Hualien County, near the epicenter, the CEOC said.

The earthquake also affected power supply, with more than 91,000 households without power, the CEOC said, adding that the island’s state-run Taipower Company was currently working to resolve the issue.

The CEOC also stated that some railway services in eastern Taiwan were suspended, but they are expected to be operational again by the end of the day.

9 injured on a highway in Taiwan

The 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday badly damaged a major highway on the east coast, according to local television stations. Footage broadcast by CNN affiliate TVBS showed large boulders falling on the Suhua highway, and several tunnels were breached – including one that was torn in two.

CNN affiliate SET News shows the front of a car destroyed by falling rocks.

At least nine rockfalls and landslides were reported on the Suhua Expressway, and the entire line was closed, Taiwan’s Central News Agency said, citing authorities.

Another highway connecting Taiwan’s west and east coasts was also hit by falling rocks, with at least 12 cars hit and nine people injured, according to TVBS.

The Suhua Highway is known as one of the most dangerous – but also the most scenic – roads in Taiwan. It connects northeastern Taiwan with the eastern city of Hualien, which is near the epicenter of the earthquake.

The Taiwanese president instructs the administration to provide assistance in the wake of the earthquake

Taiwan’s president, Tsai Ing-wen, said she had “immediately instructed the administration to deal with the situation and understand the local impact as soon as possible.”

Tsai also instructed the administration to “provide the necessary assistance and cooperate with local governments to minimize the impact of the disaster,” according to a post on her Facebook page.

Flights have resumed at Japan’s Naha airport in Okinawa

All flights to and from Japan’s Naha airport on the island of Okinawa have resumed after the tsunami warning issued for the area was downgraded, airport spokesman Hideaki Tsurudo told CNN on Wednesday.

Okinawa was hit by small tsunami waves of less than 30 centimeters following the Taiwan earthquake, which led to the suspension of flights. But no waves touched the airport and it was thus reopened, according to Tsurudo.

No casualties or damage were reported in Japan following the tsunami warning

No casualties or damage were reported in Japan following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, according to Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi. The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings in Japan, but initial reports indicated that initial tsunami waves were small, under 30 centimeters, on the southern Japanese island of Okinawa.

But Hayashi, speaking at a press conference, said he expected the second and third waves generated by the earthquake to be larger.

Tsunami warnings for Japan have been downgraded to advisory, he said. However, Hayashi advised people in the affected areas to stay on higher ground.

Tsunami alert in the Philippines as well

A tsunami alert was issued in the Philippines following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Taiwan, according to the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology in that country. Coastal areas facing the Pacific Ocean are expected to experience “large tsunami waves”.

The first waves are expected to hit from 8:33 a.m. local time until 10:33 a.m. Wednesday.

People in the coastal areas of Batanes Group of Islands, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela provinces were “strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher ground or move further inland,” according to the warning.

Boat owners in harbors, estuaries or shallow coastal waters were also asked to secure their boats and move away from the seashore. Vessels already at sea should remain offshore in deep water until further notice, the warning issued said.

Publisher: GM

Download the Digi24 app and find out the most important news of the day