Over 1,000 Injured In Taiwan's Strongest Earthquake In Decades
The tremor, the strongest in 25 years, hit just as people were travelling to work or school.
By May Vin Ang — 04 Apr 2024, 11:26 AM
At least nine people were killed and more than 1,000 were injured in yesterday's powerful 7.2 earthquake that hit Taiwan
The tremor, the strongest in 25 years, hit just before 8am on Wednesday morning, 3 April, just as Taiwanese people were travelling to work or school.
The United States Geological Survey had pinpointed the epicentre 18km south of Hualien city, where all of the fatalities have so far been reported.
According to AFP, Taiwan's National Fire Agency said three people died, crushed by boulders loosened by the earthquake, during an early morning hike through the hills surrounding the city.
Separately, three died while they were driving by tumbling rocks, while another died at a mine quarry in Hualien.
Buildings also shook violently in the capital Taipei, but damage and disruption there was minimal.
Rescue operations are still underway to save dozens of people that could be trapped in their vehicles in tunnels around the mountainous coastal city
AFP reported that the major roads leading to Hualien, an extensive series of strongly built tunnels that are kilometres long, have been cut off by landslides.
As rescuers carried on combing through the debris last night, some residents chose to sleep outdoors as aftershocks continued to rock the region.
Meanwhile, neighbouring countries, namely Japan and the Philippines, have lifted their tsunami warnings.
Military personnel searching for survivors in a damaged building in Hualien.
Image via AFP/theSundaily
