New Delhi, April 03: A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake shook Taiwan’s east coast on Wednesday morning, instigating widespread panic and prompting tsunami alerts throughout the area. Officials in Taiwan have verified that at least four individuals have died and sixty have been injured, while rescuers are tirelessly extracting survivors from dozens of collapsed buildings. More deaths are not ruled out.
The earthquake’s epicentre was located approximately 18 kilometres south of Hualien city. This seismic event stands as Taiwan’s most severe earthquake in twenty-five years, as confirmed by seismology authorities. In the aftermath, numerous structures in Hualien have been partially destroyed, their leaning structures serving as a stark reminder of the quake’s sheer intensity.
Videos emerging from the capital Taipei depict scenes of chaos as buildings sway violently, hurling objects off shelves and causing furniture to topple. Meanwhile, in Taiwan’s rugged interior, social media footage reveals massive landslides triggered by the earthquake, with the full extent of damage yet to be assessed.
Some media and social reports suggest bridges in the mountains collapsed or were swept away by landslides. There is also a video of very large landslides coming down mountainsides not just into the ocean but into valleys as well.
Local media broadcasts showcase collapsed residential buildings and frantic evacuations of homes and schools. Additionally, stores have been thrown into disarray, with vehicles smashed and merchandise strewn about, highlighting the widespread impact of the seismic event.
Hualien, Taiwan’s largest city situated on the eastern coast of the island, is renowned for its rugged mountainous landscape. Currently, all Taiwan Railway services heading to Hualien have been halted due to landslides in the region.
Neighbouring Japan braced for potential tsunami waves of up to 3 meters along its southwestern coast, according to warnings issued by the Japan Meteorological Agency. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant against aftershocks of similar intensity for the coming days.
The Philippines’ seismology agency also raised tsunami concerns, while reports from Chinese state media indicate tremors were felt in parts of southeastern Fujian province.
Wu Chien Fu, director of Taipei’s Seismology Center, emphasized the quake’s significance, stating, “The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands… It’s the strongest in 25 years.”
The timing of the quake, at 07:58 local time, and its shallow depth of 15.5 kilometres have heightened concerns. At least nine aftershocks, registering magnitude 4 or larger, have followed since the initial tremor.
Taiwan plays a vital role in the global economy due to its hosting of tech behemoths such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) and Foxconn, the manufacturer of iPhones. TSMC stands out as a leading semiconductor producer, catering to giants like Apple and Nvidia. Moreover, Taiwan serves as a significant centre for high-end cloth manufacturing, housing some of the biggest names in fashion.
Memories of Taiwan’s devastating 1999 earthquake, which claimed 2,400 lives and destroyed thousands of buildings, loom large as the island grapples with the aftermath of this latest seismic event.