There was an earthquake near the coast of Taiwan on Wednesday that, according to the seismological agency in the capital Taipei, was ‘the strongest in 25 years’ near the island. Nothing is yet known about deaths or injuries. The material damage appears to be limited.
Wednesday morning’s quake was felt throughout Taiwan and neighboring islands and occurred at a depth of 15.5 kilometers. The Taiwanese Meteorological Institute is talking about an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2. The Japan Meteorological Institute first reported 7.5, but later adjusted this to 7.7. In September 1999, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed as many as 2,400 people in Taiwan.
Buildings collapsed and damaged in the city of Hualien, and the earthquake was also clearly felt in the capital Taipei, according to eyewitnesses. Public transport has been shut down in various places on the island with 23 million inhabitants.
A tsunami warning has been issued for Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. A small tsunami already reached the Japanese islands of Yonaguni and Ishigaki in Yonaguni Prefecture. The authorities warn of waves of 3 meters or higher.
Taiwanese chip manufacturer TSMC has evacuated its business premises as a precaution. Residents of Taiwan are without power in several places, but there are no large-scale power outages.
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Tags: Tsunami warning Japanese islands earthquake Taiwan heaviest years
