Early on April 3, a strong earthquake struck Taiwan, causing buildings to collapse and having an effect throughout the entire island, according to the AP. The US Geological Survey estimated the magnitude of the earthquake to be 7.5, although Taiwan’s earthquake monitoring agency said it was just 7.2. Following the earthquake, authorities in Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines have advised residents living near the shore to evacuate and have issued tsunami warnings.
The Taiwan Earthquake
The earthquake occurred at 7:58 am local time, and the Japan Meteorological Agency forecast a tsunami of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) in height. It was reported around half an hour later that the Miyako and Yaeyama island coastlines had probably been hit by the tsunami’s first wave.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) reports that around 9:18 a.m. (0018 GMT), a 30 cm (1 foot) tsunami made landfall on Yonaguni Island. The earthquake claimed the lives of at least four individuals and injured around sixty more. It was the strongest in 25 years.
Aftershocks In Shanghai
According to Reuters, the strong earthquake was also felt by witnesses in Shanghai. According to local Chinese media, tremors were also detected in the Chinese province of Fujian, including in the cities of Fuzhou, Ningde, Quanzhou, and Xiamen.
Television footage showed buildings in Hualien, in eastern Taiwan, trembling from their foundations, causing tremors to be felt even in Taipei, the country’s capital. More than half of the at least 26 structures that have collapsed are in Hualien, the epicenter of the earthquake. There are about twenty people stuck, and rescue efforts are in progress. There are numerous landslides and rockslides occurring on Taiwan’s eastern shore, according to reports.
Notably, the city government of Taipei has stated that it has not yet heard of any significant earthquake-related damage.
Taiwan To Be Hit By A Tsunami?
In the meantime, businesses were working normally in Southern Taiwan Science Park, home of the semiconductor giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC).
“Taiwan may be affected by a tsunami that is caused by the earthquake. According to an emergency message released by the authorities, “a tsunami warning is issued to remind people in coastal areas to be vigilant.” This was reported by Reuters.
It further stated that Japan had also issued a tsunami notice for the Okinawa island group in southern Japan. Additionally, it has recommended that people living along the coast in a number of provinces immediately evacuate to higher ground or farther inland, according to Reuters.
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