An extremely powerful earthquake in Taiwan caused huge devastation, 4 dead, and many injured

A powerful earthquake occurred in Taiwan early today (Wednesday), due to which the entire island shook and buildings collapsed. Japan has issued a tsunami warning for the southern island group Okinawa. Flights have been cancelled here. The Philippines has also warned of tsunamis and ordered the evacuation of coastal areas. The Japan Meteorological Agency predicted a tsunami of up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) after the earthquake. About half an hour later, it said the first wave of the tsunami had already hit the coasts of Miyako and Yaeyama islands.

Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency put the intensity at 7.2, while the US Geological Survey put it at 7.4. The epicentre of the earthquake was located about 18 kilometres south of Hualin city. The foundations of buildings in Hualien have been shaken. Earthquake tremors were also felt in the capital Taipei.

Many buildings have collapsed in Hualien, Taiwan due to the earthquake. A lot of damage has been done. Speed ​​train service has been stopped. People can be seen coming out of the underground railway station. In Taiwan, it is being described as the most powerful earthquake in 25 years.

Tsunami warning issued

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), a powerful earthquake of 7.4 magnitude occurred off the eastern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday. Due to the earthquake, a tsunami warning was issued in southern Japan. According to the administration's seismological centre, its epicentre was located at a depth of 15.5 kilometres in the Pacific Ocean, 25.0 kilometres south-southeast of Hualien County Hall, the Central News Agency reported.

An intensity level of 5+ was recorded in Yilan County in the northeast and Miaoli County in the north, while an intensity level of 5+ was recorded in Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taoyuan City and Hsinchu County in the north, Taichung City, Changhua County.

Appeal to move to safe places

CNA reported that due to the earthquake, metro systems in Taipei, Taichung and Kaohsiung were suspended. A tsunami warning has been declared for the coastal areas of Miyakojima and Yaeyama regions of southwestern Japan, as well as the main island of Okinawa in Okinawa Prefecture. According to the NHK report, officials have urged residents of these areas to immediately move to higher ground or safe places.