The earthquake with a magnitude of 7.4 on the Richter scale occurred at 7:58 local time (2:58 Romania time) 18 kilometers south of the city of Hualien, located on the east coast of Taiwan and at a depth of 34.8 kilometers, according to the US Geological Survey, writes News.ro. The earthquake was followed by several replieswhich witnesses say were strong.
Seven people died, 700 were injured and 70 were missing. The emergency services also stated that the toll will most likely increase from one hour to the next, and the number of those missing could be much higher. In total, Taiwanese officials say, there are at least 125 buildings seriously damaged, and so far, four have crashed. More people are trapped in buildings that have collapsed or that have leaned and are on the verge of collapse. 26 buildings are in this situation.
Tens of thousands of homes were also without power and a major highway along the island’s east coast was closed due to major damage from landslides and rockfalls.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Defense says the military has been sent to affected areas and schools and workplace attendance has been canceled today.
A tsunami warning was also initially issued for Taiwan, southern Japan and the Philippines, but it was lifted.
According to the island’s Central Meteorological Administration, the current earthquake is the strongest to hit Taiwan since 1999. The one at the time had a magnitude of 7.7, and in its wake 2,400 people died and 10,000 were injured.
UPDATE. The number of injured rose to 882, and the number of dead rose to 9
According to Taiwanese authorities, the toll has risen to nine people dead, 880 injured and at least 130 missing. 131 people are missing, including 50 hotel employees, who were passing through a road tunnel that collapsed following the earthquake. Over a hundred buildings were severely damaged.
Also, a group of miners is trapped underground. Moreover, landslides occurred all over the island, and many roads were damaged. For these reasons, it is expected that the number of victims and missing persons will continue to increase, the authorities announce.
