Taiwan rocked by strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, killing at least 9 people and injuring more than 900.
TAIPEI, Taiwan – At least nine people were killed and more than 900 were injured when Taiwan was rocked by its biggest earthquake in nearly 25 years, which forced people to flee crumbling buildings and prompted officials to issue Tsunami Warnings that spanned the western Pacific Ocean.
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Watch: Lights sway, plates crash to floor during powerful earthquake in Taiwan
Video recorded inside a restaurant in Taiwan captured the moment a powerful earthquake began and shows lights swaying and glasses and plates crashing to the floor.
Dramatic images and videos captured the moment the magnitude 7.4 earthquake began just before 8 a.m. local time (just before 8 p.m. EDT) about 11 miles to the south-southwest of Hualien City, as well as the aftermath that showed buildings leaning at precarious angles, debris littering the streets and large boulders that came crashing down mountains.
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Watch: Smoke billows from building damaged by powerful earthquake in Taiwan
Video recorded in Taiwan shows thick smoke billowing from inside a building that was heavily damaged during a powerful earthquake on Wednesday, March 3, 2024.
The region has since been affected by numerous aftershocks, including a magnitude 6.5 that struck shortly after the initial earthquake hit.
Wednesday’s earthquake was the strongest in nearly 25 years when a magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed more than 2,400 people in 1999 and destroyed thousands of buildings.
According to Reuters, about 70 people were rescued from tunnels near Hualien City after they became trapped, and another 80 people are reportedly trapped in a mining area.
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Fire fighters carry out search and rescue operations among the rubble as at least nine people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 03, 2024. Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush Wednesday, damaging buildings and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. (Photo by Ministry of Interior / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
In addition, Reuters says officials also lost contact with 50 workers who were aboard four minibuses heading to a hotel in a national park, Taroko Gorge, when the earthquake struck.
Search and rescue operations began immediately after the shaking stopped, as well as work to repair damage to buildings and infrastructure.
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NEW TAIPEI, CHINA - APRIL 03: An elevated track for the New Taipei Metro is damaged following an earthquake on April 3, 2024 in New Taipei, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by Yang Chengchen/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images) (Getty Images)
"Our response efforts are in full swing to address the aftermath of today’s earthquake in Taiwan," President-elect Lai Ching-te said on X, formerly Twitter. "The outpouring of global support is uplifting and deeply appreciated, as are the endeavors of our brave responders. My thoughts are with all affected as we work to recover and rebuild."
The White House released a statement on Wednesday and said everyone who was affected by the earthquake is "in our prayers."
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Fire fighters continue search and rescue operations among the rubble as at least nine people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 03, 2024. Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush Wednesday, damaging buildings and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. (Photo by Ministry of Interior / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Fire fighters carry out search and rescue operations among the rubble as at least nine people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 03, 2024. Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush Wednesday, damaging buildings and creating a tsunami that washed ashore on southern Japanese islands. (Photo by Ministry of Interior / Handout /Anadolu via Getty Images)
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A view of rocks that fell and blocked the road after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 3, 2024. The Guguan Works Section sent out machines and tools to open the area, and called on people who wanted to enter the mountainous area to pay attention to the road conditions. (Photo by Taichung City Fire Department/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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A small passenger vehicle is seriously damaged and the windshield is shattered after hit by falling rocks on the Zhonghengbian Road as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Taichung, Taiwan on April 3, 2024. (Photo by Guguan Public Works Section/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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This frame grab from AFPTV video taken on April 3, 2024 shows rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east. A major 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's east on the morning of April 3, prompting tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan and the Philippines. (Photo by AFPTV / AFP) (Photo by STR/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
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NEW TAIPEI, CHINA - APRIL 03: An elevated track for the New Taipei Metro is damaged following an earthquake on April 3, 2024 in New Taipei, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by Yang Chengchen/China News Service/VCG via Getty Images)
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TAOYUAN, TAIWAN - APRIL 3: Taoyuan City Deputy Mayor Su Junbin inspects the Sanyuanjidi Community Building and Dazhi Citizen Activity Center in Bade District as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Taoyuan, Taiwan on April 3, 2024. He stated that initially there was no problem with the main structure, but due to the construction of the property is more complex, the decision will be made in conjunction with the Building Management Office and the Civil and Structural Technicians Association. (Photo by Taoyuan City Government/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, CHINA - APRIL 03: Rescuers work at the partially collapsed building after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024 in Hualien County, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, CHINA - APRIL 03: A red building is partially collapsed after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024 in Hualien County, Taiwan of China. A major earthquake has hit the east coast of Taiwan with a magnitude of 7.3, the strongest on the island in 25 years. (Photo by VCG/VCG via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, TAIWAN - APRIL 3: The Uranus Building at Xuanyuan Road is tilted severely as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 3, 2024. The building tilted at an angle of more than 60 degrees, and one person is still missing. The police immediately went to the rescue after receiving the report. (Photo by Hualien County Fire Department/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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HUALIEN, TAIWAN - APRIL 3: The Uranus Building at Xuanyuan Road is tilted severely as at least four people were killed and hundreds of others injured after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast on the Richter scale, in Hualien, Taiwan on April 3, 2024. The building tilted at an angle of more than 60 degrees, and one person is still missing. The police immediately went to the rescue after receiving the report. (Photo by Hualien County Fire Department/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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A strong earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, destroying buildings and triggering a tsunami threat
(TVBS)
"We are monitoring reports of the earthquake impacting Taiwan and continue to monitor its potential impact on Japan," National Security Spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in the statement. "The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance."
The Japan Meteorological Agency reported tsunami waves of about a foot were reported on the coast of Yonaguni Island to the east of Taiwan after the earthquake struck. The agency said other tsunami waves were reported on the Ishigaki and Miyako islands, but they were smaller.
Tsunami Warnings across the region have since been lifted.