VIDEO: Tilted buildings, swinging bridges, terrifying visuals of Taiwan earthquake emerge

At least nine people have been killed and more than 900 have been injured after Taiwan was hit by the biggest earthquake it has witnessed in 25 years, on Wednesday (Apr 3).

As the island reels from the earthquake and the aftershocks which have left a trail of destruction in its wake, terrifying videos show the moments when the quake struck.

Content warning: The visuals may be disturbing to some users. Viewer discretion is advised. WION cannot independently verify the authenticity of photos, videos and information shared on social media.

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This video from a webcam facing the Taipei skyline shows the moment of a preliminary 7.5 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan just moments ago. pic.twitter.com/AQQ018DzBa — Antonio Maffei (@AGMaffei) April 3, 2024

Some buildings in Taiwan collapsedwhile others were left dangerous tilted after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake.

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The earthquake which struck just offshore about 8:00 am (local time)also triggered massive landslides.

Taiwan Earthquake: Building collapses on busy street as powerful quake hits Taiwan#WIONOriginals #TaiwanEarthquake pic.twitter.com/vzMEcRp4FL — WION (@WIONews) April 3, 2024

Recording of Taiwan earthquake on a bridge pic.twitter.com/MbjXKa8DHc — Wild 𝕏 World (@Wild_XW) April 3, 2024

Caught on Camera: Incredible footage of 7.4 magnitude quake on eastern Taiwan highway!#Taiwan #earthquake #Tsunami pic.twitter.com/KAQeDQa5Wy — Ace (@ThatUchihaGuy) April 3, 2024

The earthquakecausedstrong tremors inTaipei, wherethe subway system was briefly closed, although most lines resumed service.

El terremoto de Taiwán desde el interior de un vagón de Metro. Se nota que están acostumbrados, aquí las escenas de pánico serían dantescas.
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The Taiwan earthquake from inside a subway car. You can tell they are familiar with it, here the panic scenes would be… pic.twitter.com/Cp0NdXwZIr — Don Isaac (@don_isaac_j) April 3, 2024

Taiwan earthquake update

The earthquake struckin the morning just as people were headed for work and school and even triggered a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines. The warnings were lifted later in the day.

Taiwan’s weather agency recorded more than 50 aftershocks which could be felt as far as Taipei.At least nine people have been killed and 946 others have been injured, according to Reuters citingTaiwanese officials.

“At present the most important thing, the top priority, is to rescue people,” said President-elect Lai Ching-te, outside one of the collapsed buildings in Hualien.

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Taiwanese fire authorities reported that 50 workers travelling in minibuses to a hotel in a national park were missing after they lost contactand said rescuers were looking for them.

Additionally, 80 people were reportedly trapped in a mining area, however, it was not immediately clear if they were inside the mine.

Some 70 people who were trapped in tunnels around Hualien city were evacuated, said Taiwanese fire authorities.

Taiwan’s central news agency said the quake was the biggest since the magnitude 7.6 which struck in 1999 and killed at least 2,400 people and damaged or destroyed 50,000 buildings.

(With inputs from agencies)