Taiwan was hit by the strongest earthquake in 25 years during Wednesday’s rush hour, with nine people reported dead, 50 missing and more than 800 injured.
Kitahin Street, Hualien City, Hualien Prefecture, eastern Taiwan. #earthquake pic.twitter.com/J9jJIToCxZ
— Focus Taiwan (CNA English News) (@Focus_Taiwan) April 3, 2024
The quake caused landslides in the mountainous area, collapsing buildings and tunnels, and trapping 137 people in cars, buses and tunnels. 87,000 homes are reportedly without power.
Latest Update: The death toll from this morning’s earthquake now stands at 7, with 736 injured and 77 trapped or stranded. All of the dead were mountaineers and motorists who were struck by falling rocks in Hualien County.https://t.co/VK4Rbhvrqk pic.twitter.com/US8DCY2bRr
— Taipei Times (@taipei_times) April 3, 2024
Taiwanese authorities announced the quake had a magnitude of 7.2, while the U.S. Geological Survey recorded a magnitude of 7.4 and Japanese seismologists reported an even stronger 7.7. The epicenter of the earthquake was approximately 18 miles from Hualien City. suffered A magnitude 7.3 earthquake occurred in September 1999.
Taiwanese seismologist Said While the 1999 quake released more destructive energy and hit the area with more buildings at risk of collapse, Wednesday’s quake approached that strength. Both earthquakes were strong enough to not only throw people off their feet, but actually send them flying into the air.
The effects of weaker quakes were also felt in other major cities, including the capital Taipei, with damage reported to the National Assembly building.
Rescue operations continue near partially destroyed buildings after a strong magnitude 7.3 earthquake shook the entire island in Taiwan’s Hualien County on April 3, 2024. (Photo courtesy of VCG/VCG, Getty Images)
Seismologists warned that dangerous aftershocks could occur over the next three to four days.
Minister of Transport Wang Kuo Cai Said On Wednesday morning, it was announced that the earthquake had paralyzed transportation in eastern Taiwan, including both road and rail lines. He expected it would take several days for rail service to be restored.
Wang said the ministry is establishing additional passenger flights to the region in addition to establishing maritime transportation along the mountainous east coast. He warned that Hualien’s local airport has limited landing capacity and that airlines are already dealing with the annual high demand for travel. grave sweeping festival This year’s public holiday falls from April 4th to 7th.
Witnesses in the earthquake area report Landslides and huge plumes of dust erupted in the mountains, and buildings in Hualien partially collapsed or tilted at odd angles.
Some of them are number of deaths The quake caused surrounding rocks to collapse, trapping hikers and park staff into the hill. As of Wednesday morning, at least five people had been killed by falling rocks, including a man who was found dead in his car after it was destroyed by a falling rock.
Hualien resident Said England guardian When the earthquake struck, the streets were in chaos, with drivers slamming on their brakes and people jumping off their bicycles. People screamed as the tremors “continued to occur every few minutes for hours.”
A hostel owner in Hualien lamented the destruction of a beautiful mountain park that brought tourists to the area.
“We don’t know how long it will take for repairs to be completed or whether guests will consider returning here. The road connecting Hualien to the north has been completely destroyed,” she said. “This is the most severe damage to infrastructure we have ever seen.”
The 10-story building, which can be seen leaning precariously to the side in many photos of Hualien after the earthquake, is called Uranusvir. This is an area where residential buildings and shops coexist. Many residents fled the building, local reporters said, but some were still missing and rescue workers feared people could be trapped in the basement.
Condolences and offers of support poured in from across the Pacific and around the world, including a message from the Indian Prime Minister. narendra modiPresident of the Philippines ferdinand marcos jr.and the Prime Minister of Japan Fumio Kishida.
This frame capture from an AFPTV video taken on April 3, 2024, shows rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus building in Hualien after a major earthquake struck eastern Taiwan. (STR/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
Kishida said it was “absolutely heartbreaking” to hear that the earthquake had hit “our neighbors across the ocean.” He recalled Taiwan’s assistance to the Japanese people after the recent earthquake and promised that Japan was “ready to provide the necessary assistance” when Taiwan needs it.
White House National Security Press Secretary Adrian Watson presents the summary. statement The United States said it was “ready to provide any necessary assistance” and “our prayers are with all those affected.”
“The outpouring of support from around the world is encouraging and deeply appreciated, as are the efforts of our brave responders.” Said Willian Lai Ching-te, the next president of Taiwan.
“Our thoughts are with all those affected as we work to recover and rebuild,” he said, pledging that response efforts were “in full swing.”
This was announced by the Taiwan Mainland Affairs Committee. cold remark On Wednesday morning, it rejected an offer of aid from the People’s Republic of China.
“This morning, we noticed that the Taiwan Affairs Office on the mainland has expressed concern about the earthquake off the coast of Hualien. We very much appreciate the Taiwanese side’s concerns, but there is no need for the mainland side to cooperate with disaster relief. ” said the Taiwan office.
