Buildings were damaged in the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years

Rescue operations are underway in Taiwan following a powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the island’s eastern coast, leaving at least nine people dead and over 900 injured.

The quake, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, has caused extensive damage, particularly in the city of Hualien, where buildings collapsed, roads were blocked, and train lines disrupted.

The epicenter of the quake was located 18km south of Hualien city, but its effects were felt as far away as the capital, Taipei, more than 100km away.

The tremors triggered tsunami alerts in nearby Japanese and Philippine islands, which were later retracted.

In Hualien, landslides along the coast have caused significant damage, with dozens of people trapped in collapsed tunnels and on mountainous roads.

Rescue efforts are ongoing to reach those trapped, but the treacherous terrain has complicated operations.

The Jinwen and Qingshui tunnels are among the areas where rescue teams are focusing their efforts, with concerns about the trapped individuals’ access to food, water, and communication.

In Taipei, the earthquake also caused widespread damage, including collapsed residential buildings, power cuts, and internet outages. Local TV stations aired footage of smashed vehicles and stores in disarray.

President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized the government’s commitment to providing timely assistance to those affected, while Taiwan’s foreign office expressed gratitude for offers of aid from allies and friends.

However, there will be no request for assistance from China, as Taiwan maintains its sovereignty despite Beijing’s claims.

The earthquake, which struck at a depth of 15.5km, was followed by at least nine aftershocks, further adding to the region’s challenges.

While Taiwan is accustomed to seismic activity, this quake is described as the strongest experienced in decades, with memories of the devastating 1999 quake still fresh in the minds of residents.