A magnitude 7.2 earthquake shook Taiwan early Wednesday morning, resulting in extensive power outages and the partial collapse of several buildings in eastern Taiwan, several news outlets reported. At least seven people reportedly have died while more than 700 others sustained injuries.
The quake’s epicenter was situated 25 kilometers off the island’s eastern shore, at a depth of 15.5 kilometers below sea level.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration observed alterations in water levels along the east coast, prompting the issuance of a tsunami warning. The alert was lifted around 11 a.m. local time.
At least 26 buildings across Taiwan have either partially or completely collapsed. Since the initial tremor at 7:58 a.m. local time, more than 100 aftershocks have been recorded.
Hualien County in the east experienced the most severe consequences, including partial collapses of over a dozen structures.
The earthquake is the strongest Taiwan has seen in 25 years, triggering rockfalls along mountainous roads in central and eastern regions that have injured many residents. Approximately 77 individuals are currently trapped in Hualien County near the epicenter.
Authorities have closed the Central Cross-Island Highway and the Suhua Highway temporarily due to significant road damage and reported injuries. Notably, the primary railway and a key bridge connecting Hualien to northern Taiwan suffered serious damage. The Ministry of Transportation said it hoped to resume railway traffic by Thursday.
The earthquake has also forced Taiwan’s high-speed trains and metros in the three major cities of Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung to temporarily suspend operation.
Chinese state media reported that in addition to Taiwan and Japan, the Philippines and parts of China, as well as cities in southern Fuji, felt the impact of the earthquake.
In 1999, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit Taiwan and killed around 2,400 people.