Video recorded inside a restaurant in Taiwan captured the moment a powerful earthquake began and shows lights swaying and glasses and plates crashing to the floor.
TAIPEI, Taiwan – At least nine people have been killed and hundreds more were injured when a powerful earthquake shook Taiwan on Wednesday, prompting officials to issue Tsunami Warnings across the western Pacific Ocean as people scrambled to escape buildings that appeared to be on the verge of collapse after the violent shaking left them leaning precariously.
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Images and videos recorded after the disaster showed debris littering the streets and rescuers searching buildings after the magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit just before 8 am local time (just before 8 pm EDT Tuesday) about 11 miles to the south-southwest of Hualien City.
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Video recorded in Taiwan shows buildings that were heavily damaged and leaning at a dangerous angle after a powerful earthquake shook the region on Wednesday.
That initial earthquake was quickly followed by a magnitude 6.5 earthquake about 7 miles northeast of Hualien City.
According to Reuters, 50 people traveling aboard four minibuses heading to a hotel in a national park, Taroko Gorge, have been reported missing.
Wednesday’s earthquake was the strongest in nearly 25 years when a magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed more than 2,400 people in 1999 and destroyed thousands of buildings.
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HUALIEN, CHINA – APRIL 03: Rescuers work at the partially collapsed building after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024 in Hualien County, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
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The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense said it deployed rescuers to the hardest-hit areas to help with search and rescue operations.
Reuters reports people were slowly being evacuated from tunnels near Hualien City after they became trapped during the earthquake, and several landslides were reported on the eastern side of the island.
According to Reuters, more than 800 people were injured in the earthquake.
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HUALIEN, TAIWAN – APRIL 3: The Uranus Building at Xuanyuan Road is tilted severely as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan’s eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 3 , 2024. The building tilted at an angle of more than 60 degrees, and one person is still missing. The police immediately went to the rescue after receiving the report. (Photo by Hualien County Fire Department/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, TAIWAN – APRIL 3: The Uranus Building at Xuanyuan Road is tilted severely as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan’s eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 3 , 2024. The building tilted at an angle of more than 60 degrees, and one person is still missing. The police immediately went to the rescue after receiving the report. (Photo by Hualien County Fire Department/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, CHINA – APRIL 03: A red building is partially collapsed after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024 in Hualien County, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, CHINA – APRIL 03: Rescuers work at the partially collapsed building after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024 in Hualien County, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
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TAOYUAN, TAIWAN – APRIL 3: Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Junbin inspects the Sanyuanjidi Community Building and Dazhi Citizen Activity Center in Bade District as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan’s eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Taoyuan, Taiwan on April 3, 2024. He stated that initially there was no problem with the main structure, but due to the construction of the property is more complex, the decision will be made in conjunction with the Building Management Office and the Civil and Structural Technicians Association. (Photo by Taoyuan City Government/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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“Our response efforts are in full swing to address the aftermath of today’s earthquake in Taiwan,” https://twitter.com/ChingteLai/status/1775461810378043518, formerly Twitter. “The outpouring of global support is uplifting and deeply appreciated, as are the endeavors of our brave responders. My thoughts are with all affected as we work to recover and rebuild.”
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported tsunami waves of about a foot were reported on the coast of Yonaguni Island to the east of Tawain after the earthquake struck.
The agency said other tsunami waves were reported on the Ishigaki and Miyako islands, but were smaller.
Tsunami warnings were lifted after the initial threat was over.
