Strongest earthquake in 25 years hits Taiwan

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s east coast on Wednesday, setting off tsunami warnings on the island and its neighboring countries.

The epicenter is located about 18km (11mi) south of Taiwan’s Hualien city, according to the US Geological Survey.

It is Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years, seismology officials said.

Tsunami waves of up to 3m were expected to reach large areas of Japan’s southwestern coast, said the Japan Meteorological Agency.

The Philippines’ seismology agency has also issued a tsunami warning.

Chinese state media said tremors were felt in parts of China’s south-eastern Fujian province.

“The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands… It’s the strongest in 25 years,” said Wu Chien Fu, the director of Taipei’s Seismology Center.

In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, killing 2,400 people and destroying 5,000 buildings.

Wednesday’s earthquake hit at 07:58 local time (23:58 GMT) at a depth of 15.5km and has set off at least nine aftershocks at magnitude 4 or larger.

Footage on local media outlets show collapsed residential buildings and people being evacuated from their homes and schools. The impact of the earthquake has also smashed vehicles and thrown items inside stores in disarray, according to clips aired by local broadcaster TVBS.

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