A strong earthquake rocked Taiwan early Wednesday, toppling buildings and leaving at least nine dead, dozens of others trapped and nearly 1,000 people injured, officials there say.
The magnitude 7.4 earthquake was the most powerful to hit the island in 25 years, damaging buildings, causing landslides and knocking out power for thousands of people.
According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the quake was centered about 15 miles south of Hualien City and struck just before 8 a.m. local time. It triggered a tsunami warning and was followed by at least 76 aftershocks in less than five hours, according to Taiwanese officials.
People are accustomed to regular quakes in Taiwan, which according to Associated Press has some of the world’s most advanced preparedness systems. “But authorities said they had expected a relatively mild earthquake and accordingly did not send out alerts,” the AP reported. “The eventual temblor was strong enough to scare even people who are used to such shaking.”
Two buildings and a major highway in Hualien, a city on Taiwan’s eastern coast, saw extensive damage. A 10-story residential and commercial building in Hualien, called the Uranus Building, partially collapsed. Many of its residents managed to escape, but others were feared missing.
One video shared widely on social media showed the building leaning to one side, stunning onlookers.
Peoplesmind
