4 Dead and over 60 Injured in a 7.4 Magnitude Earthquake that rocked Taiwan

An earthquake of 7.4 magnitude struck Taiwan, killing at least 4 people and injuring over 60. Buildings collapsed, including a five-story structure in Hualien. Taiwan's seismic agency reported that a magnitude of 7.4, and multiple aftershocks were felt, including one of 6.5 magnitude.

The earthquake's epicenter was located 18 kilometers south of Taiwan's Hualien City, with a depth of 34.8 kilometers. Three people were crushed to death by boulders during an early-morning hike, while another individual died in a landslide near a tunnel.

President Tsai Ing-wen called for coordinated efforts between local and central government agencies, with the national army providing support. Videos of buildings swaying and collapsing surfaced on social media. The earthquake's impact was also felt in neighbouring regions, including China's Fujian province and Hong Kong.

In Taiwan's capital, Taipei, power outages occurred, and buildings suffered damage. Train and subway services were halted temporarily. Japan also experienced the tremors, with Okinawa residents evacuating coastal areas amid tsunami warnings.

In Japan's Yonaguni Island, a tsunami was triggered by the earthquake, with a wave reaching about 1 foot high. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued warnings for coastal areas of Okinawa, predicting waves up to 3 meters high, prompting evacuations and flight cancellations.

The earthquake, labelled the strongest in Taiwan in 25 years, caused widespread damage, with at least 26 buildings collapsing. Rescue efforts are ongoing. The impact was felt as far as Shanghai. The seismic event was reminiscent of the 1999 earthquake that claimed 2,400 lives.