Several buildings have collapsed in Taiwan after a strong earthquake – NRK Urix – Foreign news and documentaries

There are reports from Taiwan that several buildings have collapsed in the city of Hualien, in the east of the country.

The news agency Reuters writes that several people are trapped inside a building that has collapsed.

One person is dead and more than 50 are injured, reports Taiwan’s fire service, according to Reuters.

In the capital Tapei, several areas are without electricity.

Most powerful in 25 years

The director of the seismological center in Tapei, says that the earthquake is the most powerful in Taiwan in 25 years.

– The earthquake is very close to land and it was very shallow. It could be felt all over Taiwan. It is the strongest since the 1999 quake, Wu Chien told reporters.

In September 1999, 2,400 people lost their lives when a magnitude 7.6 earthquake hit Taiwan, writes AFP.

Tsunami warning cancelled

Tsunami warnings were sent out in several countries after an earthquake measuring up to 7.7 southwest of Japan on the night of Wednesday Norwegian time. According to Japanese meteorological authorities, the quake is very shallow.

According to broadcaster NHK, a tsunami was expected on the coast of Okinawa at 10:00 local time – which corresponded to 3:00 a.m. Wednesday Norwegian time.

An evacuation order was issued for the coastal areas.

The warning was canceled at 4 a.m. by The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.

But according to the Japanese broadcaster, a tsunami reached the island of Yonaguni, but then with waves of a modest 0.3 meters.

In addition to Japan and Taiwan, the Philippines also issued a tsunami warning.

According to the country’s seismological centre, coastal areas towards the Pacific Ocean could experience “high tsunami waves”.