Dramatic Frighten Moments When Earthquake Hit Taiwan: PHOTOS

The death toll rose to nine and scores of people were missing or trapped in rubble Wednesday after a massive earthquake struck Taiwan − and authorities warned that dangerous aftershocks could rock the densely populated island nation for several more days.

Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said at least 946 people were injured when the earthquake, measured as 7.2 magnitude by Taiwan official and 7.4 by the U.S. Geological Survey, struck near the east coast city of Hualien at about 8 a.m. local time. Hualien is a popular tourist destination 100 miles south of Taipei, where buildings swayed and some damage was reported. A series of aftershocks followed, reaching up to 6.4 magnitude.

This photo taken by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows Taiwan’s president-elect and current Vice-President Lai Ching-te (3rd R) surveying damage in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east. At least seven people were killed and more than 700 injured on April 3 by a powerful earthquake in Taiwan that damaged dozens of buildings and prompted tsunami warnings that extended to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT – China OUT – Macau O

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Some buildings tumbled or were left leaning precariously while scores of people were trapped inside the damaged structures. An additional 70 people were trapped in a mine in Heping, northwest of Hualien. Hundreds of thousands of terrified residents lost power as landslides rolled across highways. The temblor set off a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted.

“It was very strong. It felt as if the house was going to topple,” said Chang Yu-lin, 60, a worker in a hospital in the capital of Taipei.

In Hualien, the city’s mayor, Hsu Chen-Wei, said by the end of the day everyone in buildings considered dangerous had been evacuated and demolition had begun on four.

The White House said Wednesday morning that it is monitoring the impacts from the earthquake on Taiwan and Japan. “The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance. All those affected are in our prayers,” National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a statement.

This photo taken by Taiwan’s Central News Agency on April 3, 2024, shows damage in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east on April 3, 2024.

Developments:

∎ Wu said an investigation is underway to determine why not all Taiwanese received a nationwide alert issued following the quake.

∎ There was no tsunami threat to Hawaii, the U.S. Pacific territory of Guam or the west coast of North America, the U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center said.

∎ Officials in Taiwan’s air force said six F-16 fighter jets were slightly damaged in the earthquake, but they are expected to return to service soon.

Earthquake rocks Taiwan:Strongest temblor in 25 years

‘We are frightened. We are so nervous.’
Linda Chen, 48, said her apartment in downtown Hualien city had been so badly damaged in an earlier earthquake in 2018 that she had to move. But her new apartment block was damaged, too, in the latest earthquake.

“We worry the house could collapse anytime. We thought we had already experienced it once in Hualien and it would not hit us again, because God has to be fair,” she said.

“We are frightened. We are so nervous.” − Reuters

Aftershocks near epicenter could continue for days

At least 29 aftershocks above a 4.9 magnitude have rumbled near the city of Hualien on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Dozens more have been clocked by Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.

TOPSHOT – This photo taken by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on April 3, 2024 shows a damaged 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 CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT – China OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images) ORIG FILE ID: 21261404

Wu Chien-fu, director of Taiwan’s Seismology Center, said aftershocks reaching 7.0 could shake the nation of 23 million people for three or four more days. Over a dozen aftershocks on Wednesday were greater than 5.0 in magnitude, and one was over 6.0, USGS data shows.

Aftershocks are a sequence of smaller quakes that are a part of the “readjustment process” along a fault line where a main shock took place, the USGS said. They can continue for days, weeks, months or even years after a large earthquake, and their frequency usually decreases with time.

Dozens rescued from tunnels where they were trapped

Over 70 people have been evacuated from tunnels near Hualien City, fire authorities said. Video published by Taiwan National Fire Agency shows responders conducting search-and-rescue operations underneath collapsed buildings.

The rescued people include two German nationals.

Where did the earthquake strike?
The earthquake’s epicenter was 6 miles northeast of the small town of Hualien City.

The area is known by some as “the Hawaii of Taiwan” because of its warm, tropical weather, lush greenery and crystal clear ocean waters. In addition, it’s home to the Taroko Gorge, a stunning natural granite gorge with transparent turquoise and dark blue water that is a destination for hikers.

Signs along the pathways and hiking trails in the gorge warn visitors of possible falling rocks. Five-star hotels in the town of Hualien and in the vicinity of Taroko National Park where the gorge is located cater to tourists from around the globe coming to see and hike the area.

Taiwan President-elect Lai Ching-te inspects the damage following the earthquake, in Hualien, Taiwan in this Taiwan Presidential Office handout image released April 3, 2024. Taiwan Presidential Office/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALES. NO ARCHIVES.

Taiwan, prone to earthquakes, sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire” where 90% of the world’s temblors take place. Emergency services are prepared for quake rescue and recovery. Social media videos showed rescuers using ladders to help trapped people out of windows. Buildings could be seen collapsing onto streets as landslides swept across roads and highways. Bridges swayed and items on shelves splattered onto the ground. Some damage was reported to the Taipei subway system, which closed briefly before resuming partial service.

“At present the most important thing, the top priority, is to rescue people,” said President-elect Lai Ching-te, speaking outside one of collapsed buildings in Hualien.

Rescue and recovery efforts underway
The quake shook Taipei, knocking out power in several parts of the city. Elsewhere, authorities said they had lost contact with 50 travelers aboard four minibuses heading to a hotel in a national park, Taroko Gorge.

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said the military will be deployed to help with rescue and recovery operations. She pledged that federal and local governments would cooperate with each other to “minimize the impact of the disasters.”

Shallow quake was close to land

Wu said the quake’s epicenter was very shallow and close to land, the result of movement in the Philippine Sea Plate. He said it felt strong in Taipei because of the “basin effect,” which occurs when earthquake reverberations become trapped in soft ground.

The quake was Taiwan’s largest since the 1999 Jiji earthquake that killed over 2,400 people and injured 11,300 more.

(USA Today’s report, contributing: Reuters, excludingheadline)