Taiwan Earthquake Live Updates: One of the most powerful earthquakes, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, hit Taiwan on Wednesday. According to reports, this is the strongest quake the island has felt in over 25 years. At least one person is reported dead and over 50 people have been injured. The earthquake also led to tsunami warnings for parts of Japan and Philippines. However, as per recent reports, these warnings have currently been reduced to advisories. The earthquake occurred near the Hualien region, a place that has lots of mountains and is not heavily populated. According to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration, the quake had a depth of 15.5 km. Japan’s weather agency reported that a few small tsunami waves reached certain areas of southern Okinawa.
The Philippines Seismology Agency advised people living in coastal areas of multiple provinces to move to higher ground due to a potential tsunami threat. Similarly, Taiwan issued a tsunami warning, although no damage was reported. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii later stated that the danger of significant tsunami waves had largely diminished.
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According to the Central Weather Administration (CWA) Seismological Center, the significant 7.2 magnitude earthquake that struck Hualien City on Wednesday was the most powerful in 25 years. The last major quake of similar magnitude occurred in 1999, known as the tragic 921 Jiji earthquake, which registered 7.3 on the Richter scale and resulted in over 2,000 fatalities, as reported by Focus Taiwan.
The U.S. Geological Survey notes that Taiwan is situated in an area of intricate tectonics, positioned at the convergence of three significant tectonic plates: the Philippine Sea plate to the east and southeast, the Eurasia plate to the north and west, and the Sunda plate to the southwest. Due to this positioning, Taiwan frequently experiences moderate to large earthquakes, according to the USGS.
According to Taiwan's national fire agency, a total of 70 miners are currently trapped in two separate coal mines in Hualien County following a strong earthquake that struck the island on Wednesday. The agency reported that 64 individuals were trapped in one coal mine, while the remaining six were in a different mine.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi conveyed his sorrow over the loss of lives in Taiwan due to an earthquake, expressing India's solidarity with the resilient people of the country. He stated, "Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to earthquakes in Taiwan today. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. We stand in solidarity with the resilient people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath and recover from it."
Taiwan's biggest earthquake since 1999 is likely to cause some disruption across Asia's semiconductor supply chain, analysts say, after chipmakers from TSMC to UMC halted some operations to inspect facilities and relocate employees. (Reuters)
The India-Taipei Association extended heartfelt condolences to the victims of the earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday, claiming seven lives and injuring over 700 individuals. They also conveyed prayers for the swift recovery of the injured and offered steadfast support to the people of Taiwan in this challenging period.
The confirmed death toll stands at nine, with over 800 individuals sustaining injuries. The most severe devastation has been observed in Hualien, an eastern city, and the surrounding mountainous regions, where numerous individuals remain trapped.
Taiwan's national fire agency says authorities have lost contact with 50 people in minibuses after a powerful earthquake downed phone networks. More than 70 other people are trapped but believed to be alive, some in a coal mine.
Taiwan's Formosa Petrochemical (FPCC) has restarted operations at the port at its Mailiao oil refinery after closing it as a precautionary measure following a powerful earthquake, a company spokesperson said on Wednesday.
Wednesday's earthquake in Taiwan, the most significant in at least 25 years, claimed the lives of four individuals, leaving over 700 injured, according to authorities. Among those affected, 77 were trapped in tunnels and collapsed structures. Rescue efforts involved the use of ladders to aid individuals in descending to safety. Television broadcasts depicted buildings tilted precariously in the mountainous and sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien, close to the epicenter of the 7.2 magnitude quake, which occurred just offshore around 8 am.
The fatalities resulting from a significant earthquake in Taiwan on Wednesday have now reached seven, with 736 reported injuries, as stated by the national fire agency. All fatalities were concentrated in Hualien county, situated in the mountainous area along Taiwan's eastern coastline, which bore the brunt of the seismic activity.
In the wake of the powerful earthquake in Taiwan, the Indian Taipei Association has requested to follow advisories issued by the local authorities and also issued a helpline for assistance and guidance to all the Indian nationals living in Taiwan.
After a powerful 7.4 earthquake rocked Huwalien City on Wednesday, claiming four lives, leaving at least 57 injured and rattling scores of buildings, the local authorities swung into rescue operations in the affected areas, Focus Taiwan reported.
Authorities stated that the earthquake and subsequent series of aftershocks represent the most potent seismic activity experienced by the island in decades, cautioning of further tremors in the coming days.
- A 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan around 5:30 am IST today.
- The quake's epicenter was located 25 km south-southeast of Hualien County Hall, with a depth of 15.5 km, according to Taiwan's Central Weather Administration.
- Sadly, the earthquake resulted in one fatality and left dozens injured.
- By 8 am IST, a total of 34 aftershocks had been recorded.
- The Central Weather Administration warned of potential aftershocks ranging from 6.5 to 7 magnitude over the next 3 to 4 days.
- Due to the quake's shallow depth and proximity to land, the risk of damage increased.
- Despite a temporary suspension, MRT and high-speed rail services have resumed.
- Japan has withdrawn the tsunami warning initially issued in response to the earthquake.
A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years, killing four people, injuring dozens and sparking a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted, Reuters reported.
Japan stands ready to provide any assistance necessary to Taiwan following a massive earthquake on Wednesday, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida posted on his official account on X.
The massive earthquake that hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning, was said to be of 7.2 magnitude by Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency reports. On the other hand US Geological Survey measured it at 7.4.
India Taipei Association has set up a helpline for Indian nationals in Taiwan after the earthquake.
In the early hours of Wednesday, Taiwan was jolted by a powerful earthquake that shook the entire island and caused buildings to collapse. Japan swiftly issued a tsunami alert for the southern Japanese island group of Okinawa, with the country's meteorological agency forecasting a potential tsunami of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in height.
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported a 7.5-magnitude earthquake striking near Taiwan just before 9:00 am local time on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings for the southern Japanese islands. The agency warned of tsunami waves reaching up to three meters (10 feet) high, particularly impacting remote Japanese islands such as Miyakojima island, in close proximity to Taiwan.