A powerful earthquake, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, rocked the island nation, causing widespread devastation and leaving thousands without power. The earthquake, measured at magnitudes ranging from 7.2 to 7.7 by various monitoring agencies, struck the eastern county of Hualien during morning rush hour. As a result, several buildings collapsed, trapping scores of people underneath rubble.
Seven fatalities and over 700 injuries have been reported in Hualien, with rescue efforts underway to free those trapped. The earthquake triggered a small tsunami in coastal areas of Japan, although warnings were later lifted. Additionally, landslides and falling debris blocked roads and tunnels along Taiwan's east coast, bringing traffic to a halt.
The capital city, Taipei, experienced structural damage, with older buildings losing tiles from their roofs. Train and metro services were suspended, exacerbating transportation woes for the island's 23 million residents. Aftershocks continued to rattle Taipei, with residents urged to remain vigilant.
The earthquake's shallow depth and subsequent aftershocks raise concerns for ongoing seismic activity. Taiwan, located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, has a history of devastating earthquakes, with the worst occurring in 1999, resulting in thousands of casualties
