At Least 9 Dead and More Than 900 Injured After 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake in Taiwan — Strongest Quake In 25 Years

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A devastating earthquake of 7.4 magnitude struck Taiwan this Wednesday morning, resulting in a tragic loss of at least nine lives and leaving over 900 individuals injured so far. This powerful quake, the strongest in 25 years, shook Taiwan during the morning rush hour, causing widespread destruction and chaos.

According to the Associated Press, the quake hit near the eastern city of Hualien at 7:58 a.m. local time. It was said that it had a magnitude of 7.4, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, making it the strongest quake to hit since 1999, which reached magnitude 7.6, killing around 2,400 people at the time.

In the capital city of Taipei, strong shakes were felt as aftershocks continued for roughly two hours. Images on television showed massive damage, including toppled buildings. The authorities suspended work and school in Hualien, an area with about 300,000 residents.

CORRECTION / This frame grab from AFPTV video taken on April 3, 2024 shows rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan’s east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by AFPTV / AFP) / “The erroneous mention appearing in the Byline of this photo has been modified in AFP systems in the following manner: [STR] instead of [Mahmoud Rizk]. Please immediately remove the erroneous mention from all your online services and delete it from your servers. If you have been authorized by AFP to distribute it to third parties, please ensure that the same actions are carried out by them. Failure to promptly comply with these instructions will entail liability on your part for any continued or post notification usage. Therefore we thank you very much for all your attention and prompt action. We are sorry for the inconvenience this notification may cause and remain at your disposal for any further information you may require.” (Photo by STR/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)

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Officials also closed down eight power plants for safety, and 87,000 residents in Hualien, the epicenter, were without power. Television footage also captured the aftermath, showing neighbors and rescue workers assisting residents, including a toddler, through windows to safety. Meanwhile, videos from the epicenter show rockslides covering roads and houses that were knocked off-kilter.

Initial tsunami warnings were issued but later lifted, easing fears in Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines.

Currently, rescue operations are now underway as 131 people are trapped following the quake, according to reports. It was said at least 50 of whom are employees of the Silks Place Taroko Hotel. Around 300,000 people live in Hualien County, where the epicenter of the quake took place. Around 100,000 reside in the main city.

Officials say the death toll is expected to climb. We will keep you updated as this story develops.

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