Taiwan Earthquake Claims Lives and Leaves Widespread Destruction: At Least Four Dead and Nearly 60 Injured

X: @the_news_21

A powerful quake strikes Taiwan, prompting tsunami alerts across the region and leaving a trail of death and injuries. A devastating earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, claiming the lives of at least four people and leaving nearly 60 injured. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.4 according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), struck just before 8:00 am local time near Hualien City, Taiwan, unleashing widespread destruction.

Officials have described it as the strongest quake to hit the island in decades, sparking fears of further tremors in the coming days. “The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands,” stated Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei’s Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center.

Strict building regulations and disaster awareness likely prevented a more significant catastrophe, but the quake still caused substantial damage. Three individuals hiking near the city were tragically crushed to death by dislodged boulders, while a truck driver lost his life when his vehicle was struck by a landslide.

Reports flooded social media platforms with videos and images capturing the terrifying moment when buildings swayed violently. “I wanted to run out, but I wasn’t dressed. That was so strong,” recounted Kelvin Hwang, a witness at a hotel in Taipei.

The aftermath revealed scenes of devastation, with multi-story structures leaning perilously and warehouses crumbling. Landslides cut off access to Hualien, a coastal city home to around 100,000 people, prompting urgent rescue efforts.

President Tsai Ing-wen urged coordinated efforts between local and central government agencies, with the national army mobilized to provide support. The National Fire Agency confirmed the death toll, adding that nearly 60 individuals had been treated for quake-related injuries.

The impact of the earthquake rippled across the region, prompting tsunami warnings in Japan and the Philippines. Though the warnings were later lifted, the quake’s tremors were felt as far as Hong Kong, underscoring the seismic activity’s far-reaching consequences.

The disruption extended to Taiwan’s industrial sector, with fabrication temporarily halted at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world’s largest chipmaker. Construction work was also suspended at various sites.

While earthquakes are not uncommon in the region due to its location near tectonic plate junctions, the severity of this event serves as a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters. The incident evokes memories of Japan’s catastrophic 2011 earthquake, which triggered a devastating tsunami and nuclear meltdown.

As Taiwan begins the arduous task of recovery and reconstruction, the resilience of its people and the importance of preparedness in mitigating such disasters come into sharp focus.