Taiwan earthquake – live updates: One dead and scores injured as 7.2-magnitude quake triggers tsunami

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Buildings partially collapsed after 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

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Seven people have been confirmed dead and more than 700 are injured as a search and rescue operation continues after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan’s east coast.

The earthquake – the strongest in 25 years in Taiwan – set off tsunami warnings on the island and across neighbouring countries, seismology officials said.

More than 77 people remain trapped under the rubble after the quake caused widespread damage and power outages across the country.

The epicentre of the earthquake, which struck at 7.58am local time, was located about 18km south of Taiwan’s Hualien city, said the US Geological Survey. The USGS measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.4, though Taiwan’s own monitoring agency put it at 7.2.

Tremors set off at least nine landslides and debris collapsed hillsides onto Suhua Highway in Hualien, according to local media reports.

Train services were suspended across the island of 23 million people, as was the subway service in Taipei.

In Japan’s Okinawa, the first small tsunami waves have hit the coasts of Miyako and Yaeyama islands. That came not long after the meteorological agency warned there could be tsunami waves of up to three metres.

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Mapped: Where did the earthquake occur?

Rescue efforts are focused in Hualien city, from where most of the casualties and damage have been reported.

Stuti Mishra3 April 2024 10:30

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Taiwan president thanks first responders

Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen thanked people for sending messages of support and first responders for saving lives after the 7.2 magnitude earthquake this morning and its aftershocks.

“I’m deeply grateful for the messages of support we have received from around the world, and to our first responders for their life-saving work,” the Taiwanese president wrote on X.

“My heart is with everyone affected. Please keep in touch with loved ones, and stay safe,” Ms Tsai said.

Stuti Mishra3 April 2024 09:59

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Moment toddler rescued from collapsing restaurant after deadly Taiwan earthquake

Buildings partially collapsed after 7.2-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

Shweta Sharma3 April 2024 09:30

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Houses on brink of collapse after deadly 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

Buildings partially collapsed after 7.2-magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

Shweta Sharma3 April 2024 09:00

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Where was the epicentre of the earthquake?

The epicentre of the shallow earthquake measuring 7.2 magnitude was just 18km away from Hualien on Taiwan’s east coast.

The region is known for its mountainous terrain and officials say it is worst-hit, with most deaths and destruction reported from Hualien county.

The county of around 300,000 people is a scenic tourist centre away from the island’s urban areas.

Shweta Sharma3 April 2024 08:46

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Powerful aftershocks expected over next four days in Taiwan, official says

Taiwanese can expect ongoing powerful aftershocks measuring up to magnitude 6.5 or 7 in the next three or four days, said Wu Chien-fu, director of the Taiwanese Central Weather Administration’s Seismology Center, at a news conference.

(CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Shweta Sharma3 April 2024 08:30

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Three hikers killed in rockslides – report

Three hikers have been killed in rockslides in Taroko National Park near the earthquake’s epicentre in Hualien County, according to a news report.

Local outlet United Daily News said they were killed due to falling rocks as the landslide occurred.

(TAICHUNG CITY GOVERNMENT’S FIRE)

Shweta Sharma3 April 2024 08:17

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PM Fumio Kishida says Japan stands ready to provide any assistance

In a post on X, Japanese prime minister Fumio Kishida said the country is ready to extend support to Taiwan following the earthquake.

Mr Kishida said he was “deeply saddened to hear” about the 7.2-magnitude earthquake and expressed “heartfelt sympathies to those affected”.

“We are grateful for the heartwarming support we received from our dear friends in Taiwan during the Great East Japan Earthquake and the recent Noto Peninsula earthquake,” he said.

Shweta Sharma3 April 2024 08:05

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