Taiwan Earthquake
(Photo : Annabelle Chih/Getty Images)
Rocks lay on the road and stop the traffic after falling off from the cliff on April 03, 2024 in Yilan, Taiwan. A 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Taiwan on Wednesday, triggering a tsunami warning for the coastline in Taiwan, The Philippines and Japan.

Nine people are dead in the largest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years.

The Japan Meteorological Agency reported that a 7.5-magnitude earthquake occurred near Taiwan just before 9:00 am Japanese local time (0000 GMT) on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings for southern Japanese islands.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck approximately 15 miles south of Hualien County shortly before 8 a.m. local time, according to the US Geological Survey. The Central Weather Administration in Taiwan registered a magnitude of 7.2 for the event.

The earthquake's effects were also felt in regions of Japan and China.

People were sent scrambling out the windows of damaged buildings and train service throughout the island was suspended, accroding to the Associated Press.

A tsunami warning was triggered but later lifted 

According to officials in Hualien County, work and school were temporarily suspended in the aftermath of the earthquake.

Images of tilted and half-collapsed buildings and landslides in the area were shared by users on social media. Residents were advised to find nearby cover, crouch down, and remain calm.

From Taipei to New Taipei City, the earthquake caused inconvenience for commuters who found themselves stuck in train cars.

According to reports, certain areas of the city experienced power outages, and initial footage and images from the Asian territory depict different levels of destruction.

Images captured in Hualien reveal the aftermath of the recent seismic activity, showcasing partially collapsed buildings and significant structural damage. Additionally, footage captures the intense shaking of a nearby bridge.

Several videos have surfaced, revealing landslides. Initial reports from local media indicate that individuals may be trapped in the wreckage.

According to a report from AFP, there have been significant aftershocks occurring on the island. Residents in certain parts of the Philippines have received warnings about the potential for significant tsunami waves.

Authorities are strongly advising those living in coastal areas to evacuate as a precautionary measure, in response to the recent earthquake in nearby Taiwan. The state seismology institute issued an advisory urging residents in coastal areas of certain provinces to evacuate to higher grounds or move farther inland.

Following the earthquake, there were initial tsunami warnings issued for the southern Japanese islands. However, these warnings have now been downgraded.

A banner on Japan's national broadcaster NHK read "Evacuate!" on Wednesday morning. An NHK anchor also urged immediate evacuation.

Remote Japanese islands near Taiwan, including Miyakojima island, were initially expected to be hit by tsunami waves as high as three meters (10 feet).

Flights at the main airport in Japan's southern region of Okinawa were also suspended. Following the earthquake, operations at Naha Airport were temporarily suspended at 9:25 am local time as a precautionary measure.

An official from the transport ministry stationed at the airport informed AFP that incoming flights would need to be diverted. Japanese officials have urged residents in the southwestern Okinawa island chain to immediately move to higher ground.

In Yonaguni, an island in Okinawa, a tsunami measuring 11 inches in height struck just 20 minutes after the initial earthquake. Authorities anticipate that additional tsunamis will occur and potentially increase in intensity.

In March 2011, a major Japanese earthquake caused tsunamis that started small but quickly grew to over 30 feet. This resulted in a nuclear meltdown and one of the largest nuclear disasters in history.

This is a developing story. Stay tuned for more updates.

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