At least nine dead as 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan

Social Affairs

Published: 03 Apr. 2024, 12:08 Updated: 03 Apr. 2024, 18:09

At least nine dead as 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan

A partially collapsed building is seen in Hualien, eastern Taiwan on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan Wednesday morning, causing widespread damage and putting neighboring countries on high alert for any reverberating effects such as tsunamis.

Several buildings across Taiwan have collapsed, with at least nine dead as of Wednesday afternoon. There were no reported Korean casualties so far.

The Taiwanese authorities announced that the earthquake on Wednesday is the largest since the 7.6-magnitude quake on September 21, 1999, which killed more than 2,000 people on the island.

The earthquake struck at 7:58 a.m. local time, 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) southeast of Hualien, a city with 350,000 residents in eastern Taiwan, according to the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC).

The earthquake was strong enough to be felt across the entire island, according to local broadcaster TVBS. It caused widespread power outages in Hualien, with high-speed rail services and the airport railway suspended.

Bloomberg also reported that a plant of TSMC, the world’s largest foundry semiconductor company, urgently evacuated production line workers. However, businesses in the southern Taiwanese science base where the plant is located are operating unaffected, according to Reuters.

The city of Hualien closed schools for three days following warnings that a 6.5 to 7.0 magnitude aftershock could occur over the next three to four days.

City authorities are conducting rescue and search operations for people who may be buried in collapsed buildings. Over 820 people were injured and 127 people were stuck inside collapsed buildings as of Wednesday afternoon, the Taiwanese authorities said.

Neighboring countries prepared for emergencies, with Japan’s Meteorological Agency issuing a tsunami warning for the Okinawa Prefecture for waves up to three meters high (10 feet high). NHK, a Japanese broadcaster, canceled regular shows and urged residents to evacuate to higher ground away from the coast. Tsunami waves up to 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) were recorded in the Okinawa area.

A passerby stands along a sidewalk to watch a television screen showing breaking news on tsunami warnings issued for the Okinawa region Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

The Philippines also warned residents in coastal areas to evacuate immediately, fearing tsunami damage.

The tsunami warnings in Japan and the Philippines were lifted around noon Wednesday.

For China, where the earthquake was felt in the Zhejiang province nearing Taiwan, a level 4 tsunami warning was issued, the highest level. There were also reports that some lines of the Guangzhou subway were temporarily closed or that speeds were limited.

The Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) said there is some distance between the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan and the fault direction of the earthquake is northeast to southwest, with the energy skewed to the southeast, meaning tsunami effects are unlikely to occur.

Flights from Taiwan’s major airports are not immediately affected by the earthquake as of Wednesday morning, with minor delays in some flight schedules.

A partially collapsed building is seen in Hualien, eastern Taiwan on Wednesday. [AP/YONHAP]

Korean Air Flight KE744, which was scheduled to depart from Incheon International Airport at 9:10 a.m. Wednesday morning, was delayed for two and a half hours but may be canceled if local airport authorities declare operations to be impossible, according to the airline industry.

Asiana Airlines Flight OZ172, which was scheduled to depart Incheon for Okinawa at 9:30 a.m., was also delayed by about an hour and a half.

Jin Air Flight LJ371 and LJ341 along with T'way Airlines TW271, all heading to Okinawa, were delayed between an hour to two hours following the tsunami warning issued in the prefecture.

BY LIM JEONG-WON [lim.jeongwon@joongang.co.kr]