Taiwain’s most powerful earthquake in 25 years has damaged nearly 100 buildings.
Taiwan was shaken by its strongest earthquake in 25 years on April 3, causing buildings to collapse and landslides to crush highways and tunnels and resulting in at least nine deaths and triggering tsunami warnings across the region. More than 800 were reported injured, according to early reports.
The 7.4 magnitude quake struck at 7:58 a.m. local time, about 11 miles southwest of the east coast city of Hualien, at a depth of about 21 miles, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It was followed by a 6.5 magnitude aftershock just 13 minutes later.
The quake caused damage to 97 buildings, four of which partially collapsed, and killed at least nine people, according to the National Fire Agency.
The agency reported that all of the deaths and most of the severe damage to buildings occurred in Hualien County, near the epicenter on the island’s less populated east coast.
The number of injuries reported has grown, with at least one of the casualties being identified as a hiker.
About 131 people were trapped in buildings in Hualien when several buildings sustained heavy damage. Rescue attempts were underway throughout the day on April 3.
One five-story building collapsed on its first floor, and the rest of the structure was leaning at a 45-degree angle.
Evacuations from three of the four partially collapsed buildings were successful. Emergency crews have rescued 22 people from the nine-story Uranus Building, which is leaning to the right after its ground level collapsed, according to local officials. One more person was thought to remain in the building at press time.
Landslides have also damaged the Suhua Highway, a major road along Taiwan’s east coast, at multiple points. Video footage shown on local media shows large boulders falling and severely damaging the highway and tunnels, including one that was split in half. At least 12 cars were damaged and about nine people have been injured, according to local media.
