Earthquake in Taiwan: Powerful quake of 7.5 magnitude rocks Taiwan, seven killed
First image surfaces of destruction after 7.5 magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan.
A powerful earthquake of 7.5 magnitude hit Taiwan around 9:00 am Japanese local time (0000 GMT) on Wednesday (April 3) which led to tsunami warnings for southern Japanese islands, said Japan Meteorological Agency. Seven people werekilled and more than 700 others were reported injured in the massive earthquake.
According to the agency, tsunami waves as high as three metres (10 feet) were expected in remote Japanese islands close to Taiwan, which includes Miyakojima Island. However, tsunami warnings have now been lifted.
The earthquake reportedly knocked out power in different parts of the city. The footage of some collapsed buildings near the quake's epicentre was telecaston Taiwan television stations.As per media reports, some people are also trapped in the debris. The quake was felt as far as Shanghai.
The earthquake's epicentre was near the coast of the eastern county of Hualien, in waters off Taiwan Island's eastern coastline, said the Taiwan Central Weather Administration.
Japan issues evacuation advisory
An evacuation advisory was issued by the Japanese authorities for the coastal areas of the southern prefecture of Okinawa, in the wake of the tsunami alert.
Japan’s national broadcasterbroadcastedwarnings like“Tsunami is coming. Please evacuate immediately,” said an anchor on NHK. “Do not stop. Do not go back," they said.
“Evacuate!” read a banner on the broadcast channel.
Another warning was issued by the Philippines Seismology Agency for residents in coastal areas of different provinces, appealing to them to evacuate to higher ground.
The earthquake tremors were also felt in Fuzhou, Xiamen, Quanzhou and Ningde in China's Fujian province, as per the Chinese state media.
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No reports of damage were received by the Taipei city government and the MRT of the city was up and running soon after the quake. However, visuals shared on social media platforms showed shaking bridges and collapsed buildings.
Southern Taiwan Science Park, where the plant of semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co is located, said that the companies have been operating without impact.
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According to Taiwan’s official central news agency, this was the biggest earthquake to hit the island since 1999 when around 2,400 people were killed in a quake of 7.6 magnitude.
(With inputs from agencies)