Whoa, a powerful earthquake just slammed into Taiwan early this morning, April 3rd! The temblor, measuring a whopping 7.2 on the Richter scale (according to Taiwan’s monitoring agency, with the US Geological Survey estimating a bit higher at 7.5), caused buildings to crumble and sent shockwaves across the entire island.
Here’s the breakdown:
- The Damage: Buildings in eastern Taiwan’s Hualien city took the brunt of the quake, with footage showing them shaking violently. Even the capital, Taipei, felt the tremors. At least 26 buildings collapsed, mostly in Hualien, and rescue crews are scrambling to find survivors trapped in the rubble. Reports also mention landslides causing problems along the eastern coast.
- Casualties: Sadly, the initial reports say at least four people have been confirmed dead and nearly 60 injured. Three hikers were tragically crushed by boulders during their early morning trek.
- Tsunami Warnings: The big concern right now is a potential tsunami. Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines all issued tsunami warnings and evacuation orders for coastal areas.
- Japan Feels the Tremors Too: While the epicenter was in Taiwan, the quake’s reach extended far and wide. People in Shanghai, China, reported feeling the tremors, and local media in China’s Fujian province says residents in Fuzhou, Ningde, Quanzhou, and Xiamen also experienced shaking.
- Some Good News (Kind Of): Thankfully, there haven’t been any major reports of damage in Taipei city yet. Public transportation seems to be bouncing back quickly, with the MRT (subway) resuming operations soon after the quake. The high-speed rail service also reported no injuries or damage on its trains, although there might be delays for inspections.
- Tech Sector Seemingly Okay: Breathe easy, tech lovers! Southern Taiwan Science Park, home to chip giant TSMC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company), says its companies are operating normally.
Here’s hoping the rescue efforts go smoothly and Taiwan recovers quickly from this devastating earthquake. Stay tuned for updates on the situation.
