Hualien City mayor, Hsu Chen-Wei, said all residents and businesses in buildings that were in a dangerous state had been evacuated and that the demolition work was underway on four buildings.

Strong earthquake off the coast of Honshu in Japan

An earthquake of magnitude 6 struck off the east coast of Honshu, Japan on Thursday, the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre said.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 32km, just a day after a 7.4 earthquake rocked Taiwan, triggering tsunami warnings for Japan.

Taipei resident says she was brought to tears by the earthquake

A Taipei resident has said she was sleeping in her fifth-floor apartment when she was woken up by the violent shaking from the earthquake.

Hsien-hsuen Keng said: “Earthquakes are a common occurrence, and I’ve grown accustomed to them. But today was the first time I was scared to tears by an earthquake. 

“I was awakened by the earthquake. I had never felt such intense shaking before,” she said.

She said she had witnessed such a powerful quake for the first time in her life “apart from earthquake drills in elementary school”.

Lin Jung, 36 who manages a sneaker shop in Hualien, recounted being at home, preparing to take his 16-month-old baby to a medical appointment when the earthquake hit.

Initially experiencing what seemed like minor tremors, he described how the seismic activity swiftly escalated into intense shaking.

A ceiling lamp’s glass cover fell and broke, prompting him to prioritise shielding his baby from harm amidst the chaos.

“All I could do was protect my baby.” 

(AP)© Provided by The Independent

Chinese aircraft surround Taiwan as island reels from powerful earthquake

Taiwan on Wednesday detected 30 Chinese aircraft and nine vessels around the island when it was hit by the strongest earthquake in over two decades.

At least 20 of the aircraft entered Taiwan’s northern, middle line and southwestern air defence identification zone, Taiwan’s defence ministry said.

“ROC (Republic of China) Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities,” it said. 

China offers disaster relief assistance to Taiwan

04:30 , Mike Bedigan

China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said it was highly concerned with the earthquake that hit the island and was willing to provide disaster relief assistance, according to Chinese state media on Wednesday.

“Relevant parties in the mainland were highly concerned and express their sincere condolences to the Taiwan compatriots affected by the disaster,” China’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said. 

However, offers of assistance are unlikely to be accepted, given the fraught relations between the island and the mainland.

China and Taiwan remain locked in a longstanding territorial dispute as Beijing lays claim on the island as its own despite not controlling the self-ruling democratic island.

The effects of the earthquake were felt on mainland China and as far away as Taiwanese-controlled islands off the coast of China, said Wu Chien-fu, the head of Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring bureau.

Over 50 still missing a day after powerful earthquake

More than 50 people remained missing in Taiwan, a day after the island was jolted by a powerful 7.24 magnitude earthquake.

Taiwan’s fire department said the number of injuries had reached 1,038, putting the total number of missing at 52.

Around a dozen hotel workers on their way to a resort in Taroko National Park had been located, with 38 still listed as missing. 

The fire department said its rescue work was focused on people trapped on the cross-island highway, which traverses the gorge connecting Hualien with Taiwan’s west coast and is a popular tourist destination.

Authorities are using drones and helicopters to look for people in the gorge and will drop supplies to them when they are found.

'Largest earthquake since New Year's Day quake'

Experts are saying that the severity of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake and its impact on Taiwan since the New Year’s Day quake in Japan.

"This magnitude 7.4 earthquake on the central east coast of Taiwan is the largest earthquake to have occurred since the New Year's Day earthquake on the Noto Peninsula of Japan," Adam Pascale, chief scientist at the Seismology Research Centre, said. 

The reason for the high magnitude is Taiwan's unique location, professor Meghan S Miller from The Australian National University, explained.

"The M7.4 earthquake that occurred 35 km beneath the east coast of Taiwan was the result of the convergence between the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate. This complex tectonic setting has produced many other large (M7+) earthquakes historically," Dr Miller said. 

Indian Prime Minister sends condolences to Taiwan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent his condolences to Taiwan following the huge earthquake on Wednesday. 

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen later responded to Mr Modi, thanking him for his “solidarity”. 

In pictures: Rescue teams search for survivors

Mapped: Where did the earthquake occur?

A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction across Taiwan, with its epicentre in the scenic beach town of Hualien.

Seven people have been confirmed dead so far as the search and rescue mission continues after the tremors dangerously tilted buildings, caused landslides and brought air, train and road traffic to a standstill for hours.

Rescue efforts are focused in Hualien city, from where most of the casualties and damage have been reported.

Mapped: Huge earthquake wrecks havoc in Taiwan and triggers tsunamis

Photo: Taiwan’s president-elect surveys damage in Hualien

01:00 , Mike Bedigan 

Taiwan’s president-elect and current Vice-President Lai Ching-te (3rd R) surveying damage in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east (CNA/AFP via Getty Images)© Provided by The Independent

Taiwan president thanks first responders

Thursday 4 April 2024 00:30 , Mike Bedigan

Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen thanked people for sending messages of support and first responders for saving lives after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake this morning and its aftershocks.

“I’m deeply grateful for the messages of support we have received from around the world, and to our first responders for their life-saving work,” the Taiwanese president wrote on X.

“My heart is with everyone affected. Please keep in touch with loved ones, and stay safe,” Ms Tsai said.  

‘The biggest earthquake I have ever experienced'

A woman who runs bed-and-breakfast accommodation in Hualien city said she scrambled to calm her guests who were scared by the quake.

"This is the biggest earthquake I have ever experienced," the woman, who asked to be identified only by her family name, Chan, told Reuters.

The government previously put the number of injured at 946, though other reports place the numbers at over 1,000.

Taiwan rocked by biggest earthquake in 25 years with nine confirmed dead

In pictures: Destruction in Taiwan following 7.4 magnitude quake

Wednesday 3 April 2024 22:30 , Mike Bedigan

 

(EPA)© Provided by The Independent

 

(CNA/AFP/Getty)© Provided by The Independent

 

(CNA/AFP/Getty)© Provided by The Independent

 

(Hualien Fire Department/AFP/Getty)© Provided by The Independent

 

(EPA)© Provided by The Independent

Why is Taiwan so prone to earthquakes and so well prepared to withstand them?

Taiwan was struck Wednesday by its most powerful earthquake in a quarter of a century. At least nine people were killed and more than 1,000 reportedly were injured, with buildings and highways damaged and train service interrupted.

Taiwan is no stranger to powerful earthquakes, but well equipped to deal with them, according to experts.  

Taiwan earthquake numbers

Wednesday 3 April 2024 21:30 , Mike Bedigan

Here are some of the numbers from the earthquake in Taiwan so far. Numbers have been sourced from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), Taiwanese officials and local news outlets, as well as international news agencies.

- The quake was measured as being at 7.4 magnitude

- At least 58 aftershocks followed, with one of magnitude 6.4

- At least 26 buildings collapsed; 15 were located in Hualien City

- The event set off at least 24 landslides on Suhua Highway in Hualien

- Nine people have been confirmed as dead, with over 1,000 injured

- Dozens of people were stranded and others remain missing

Shockwaves felt across Taiwan

Wednesday 3 April 2024 21:00 , Mike Bedigan

The power of Wednesday’s 7.4 magnitude quake was felt all over Taiwan and surrounding areas.

Tremors were captured live as news anchors delivered their bulletins, steadying themselves against giant screens as their sets swayed and lighting rigs rocked back and forth overhead. 

Commuters were rocked from side to side, with footage showing some bracing themselves as the train swayed violently before stopping on the tracks, with one woman forced to crouch down. Sighs of relief were let out as the shockwaves subside.

Elsewhere, people were forced to evacuate houses, and CCTV footage captured items falling from shelves and breaking inside local cafes. 

Taiwan quake felt by surrounding countries

Wednesday’s earthquake that struck Taiwan’s east coast was measured at a 7.4-magnitude, which was felt by neighbouring nations.

In Japan, the weather agency put the quake’s magnitude at 7.7, saying several small tsunami waves reached parts of the southern prefecture of Okinawa. The tsunami warnings were later downgraded to an advisory. 

In the Philippines, seismology officials warned coastal residents in several provinces to move to higher ground.

Chinese state media also said the quake was felt in the southeastern province of Fujian, while a Reuters witness said it was also felt in the commercial hub of Shanghai.

‘God has to be fair'

Linda Chen, 48, told news agency Reuters that her apartment in downtown Hualien city had been so badly damaged in an earlier earthquake in 2018 that they had to move house.

Her new apartment block was also damaged in Wednesday’s earthquake. Nine people have been killed and more than 900 people were injured, according to authorities.

“We worry the house could collapse anytime,” Ms Chen told Reters.

“We thought we had already experienced it once in Hualien and it would not hit us again, because God has to be fair. We are frightened. We are so nervous.”

Pictured: Collapsed building in Hualien, Taiwan 

Woman died trying saving cat

A Taiwanese woman died in the earthquake after going back into a collapsing building to save her cat, according to local media reports.

The woman, named as Kang, was found stuck under a beam. There was no response after being called by search and rescue personnel, according to Sanli News. 

Beijing offers aid to Taiwan

Beijing expressed “heartfelt condolences” and offered aid to Taipei following a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that has left up to 963 dead.

Beijing’s Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian said the mainland was closely monitoring developments and is willing to provide support for disaster relief efforts.

The epicentre of the earthquake, which struck at 7.58am local time, was located about 18km south of Taiwan’s Hualien city, said the US Geological Survey.

US ready to provide ‘any necessary assistance'

The United States will provide Taiwan with “any necessary assistance” and it is monitoring the earthquake’s potential impact on Japan.

US national security council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said: “We are monitoring reports of the earthquake impacting Taiwan and continue to monitor its potential impact on Japan. 

“The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance. All those affected are in our prayers.”

‘It was like a mountain collapsed’, survivor recounts earthquake

A survivor of the earthquake said a warehouse crumbling was like watching a mountain collapse, according to news agency AFP.

The witness, named by AFP only as Liu, watched intently as rescuers carefully picked their way through the remains of the warehouse.

Tremors set off at least nine landslides and debris collapsed hillsides onto Suhua Highway in Hualien, which runs down the east coast of Taiwan.

CCTV captures moment deadly Taiwan earthquake hits

Wednesday 3 April 2024 15:00 , Stuti Mishra

Taiwan earthquake in numbers

Why is Taiwan so prone to earthquakes?

Taiwan was struck Wednesday by its most powerful earthquake in a quarter of a century. At least nine people were killed and hundreds injured, buildings and highways damaged and train service interrupted.

Taiwan is no stranger to powerful earthquakes yet their toll on the high-tech island’s 23 million residents has been relatively contained thanks to its excellent earthquake preparedness, experts say.

Dozens trapped in tunnels along perilous highway

Dozens are understood to be trapped in highway tunnels following the earthquake in Taiwan.

According to Taiwan’s National Fire Agency (NFA), people are trapped in two road tunnels along the Suhua Highway, which runs down the east coast.

It is one of the most dangerous roads in Taiwan, straddling between the mountainside and ocean.

Rescue teams are working to get to those trapped, with CNN reporting that 75 people who were stranded in various tunnels had been rescued in the morning.

(HUALIEN FIRE DEPARTMENT/AFP via)© Provided by The Independent

50 people missing after powerful quake downed phone networks

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 strongest earthquake in a quarter-century rocked the island during the morning rush hour today. 

Nine people dead and over 800 injured

At least nine people are now confirmed dead with over 800 injured after Taiwan’s worst earthquake in 25 years, authorities have confirmed.

Rescue operations are continuing.

Moment toddler rescued from collapsing restaurant after deadly Taiwan earthquake

Houses on brink of collapse after deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

Where was the epicentre of the earthquake?

Wednesday 3 April 2024 08:46 , Shweta Sharma

The epicentre of the shallow earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude was just 18km away from Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast.

The region is known for its mountainous terrain and officials say it is worst-hit, with most deaths and destruction reported from Hualien county.

The county of around 300,000 people is a scenic tourist centre away from the island’s urban areas.

Powerful aftershocks expected over next four days in Taiwan, official says

Taiwanese can expect ongoing powerful aftershocks measuring up to magnitude 6.5 or 7 in the next three or four days, said Wu Chien-fu, director of the Taiwanese Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center, at a news conference.

 

 

(CNA/AFP via Getty Images)© Provided by The Independent