Taiwan: Strongest earthquake in 25 years – four dead

Taiwan’s government states that the death toll is four, according to the Reuters news agency.

Japan’s Meteorological Institute initially reported that Wednesday’s quake had a magnitude of 7.5, but this was later revised upwards.

Taiwan’s meteorological authorities put the strength at 7.2. The earthquake struck around 8 o’clock Wednesday morning local time, which corresponds to 2 o’clock Norwegian time.

According to the news agency Reuters, witnesses report that the strong tremor was noticeable in Taiwan’s capital Taipei, where the power is out in several areas.

Buildings have collapsed

Buildings are reported to have collapsed in the city of Hualien on the east coast of Taiwan. The country’s media reports on people being locked up. According to state media, the earthquake is the strongest to hit the country in 25 years.

The industrial giant Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) has evacuated employees from production lines after the earthquake, according to the Bloomberg news agency.

Tsunami warning

According to the Japanese broadcaster NHK, a tsunami with a height of three meters was expected to reach the coast of Okinawa at 10 am local time. However, the warning was downgraded somewhat later by the Japan Meteorological Institute, which said the waves could reach a height of one meter. At 11 o’clock the warning was lifted.

The American Pacific Tsunami Warning Center announced just after 4 o’clock on Wednesday night Norwegian time that the danger was largely over.

According to Japanese meteorological authorities, the quake was very shallow.

Also the Philippines

According to the Seismological Center of the Philippines, coastal areas towards the Pacific Ocean could experience “high tsunami waves”. People were asked to move to higher ground or further inland. There, too, the tsunami warning was later cancelled.

Chinese authorities report that the quake was felt in Fujian province and in Shanghai.

Relations between China and Taiwan are tense, and China considers the island part of its territory. Following the earthquake, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has expressed strong concern and offered to send aid.