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7.2 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, 26 buildings collapsed 11
(Dan Tri) – A 7.2 magnitude earthquake shook Taipei City on the island of Taiwan early on the morning of April 3, leading to tsunami warnings in the southern islands of Japan and the Philippines.
Japan lifted the tsunami warning
The Japan Meteorological Agency has lifted all tsunami warnings and advisories.
Mr. Hayashi said there is currently no information about casualties or damage in Japan.
China did not issue a tsunami warning for the mainland.
More than 2 hours after the earthquake in Taiwan, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said the tsunami threat was basically over.
Many people are suspected of being trapped in collapsed buildings
Taiwan’s streets shook due to a 7.2 magnitude earthquake
Taiwan’s Emergency Command Center (CEOC) said many people could be trapped in the rubble after the earthquake caused at least 26 buildings on the island to collapse.
The earthquake also broke many power lines, causing more than 91,000 households to lose power.
Taiwanese leader Tsai Ing-wen said she `immediately directed the government to grasp the situation and understand the impact on localities as soon as possible`.
Mainland Chinese authorities said they are ready to support the island.
Inside a damaged apartment in New Taipei City, Taiwan after the earthquake on April 3 (Photo: Reuters).
Taiwan: 1 person died, 50 people were injured
Reuters quoted initial information from Taiwan’s fire department as saying that the earthquake left one person dead and more than 50 injured.
`The danger is past`
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center posted on its website: `There is no longer a tsunami warning, watch or threat from the Taiwan earthquake.`
Japan lowers tsunami warning
Because the actual tsunami was much lower than forecast, Japanese officials lowered the tsunami warning to the advisory level.
According to NHK, some people on the main island of Okinawa have evacuated to a US military base there.
Taipei City continues to shake
As noted by the Guardian, buildings in Taipei city, Taiwan continue to shake due to aftershocks.
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A building tilted due to an earthquake in Hualien city (Photo: AP).
Japan stopped all flights to and from Okinawa and Kagoshima
According to Japan Airlines, to ensure safety, Japan has requested to suspend or redirect flights to and from Okinawa and Kagoshima.
At Naha Airport in Okinawa Prefecture, all airport staff were evacuated to the third floor of the building to prevent a tsunami.
Tsunami warning in the Philippines
Philippine authorities have issued a tsunami warning for coastal localities including the island groups Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte and Isabela.
People in the above areas are advised to immediately evacuate to higher places or move further inland.
Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture recorded a tsunami after 26 years
This morning’s earthquake off the coast of Taiwan caused a small tsunami in Okinawa, Japan.
Japan raised its earthquake intensity assessment
The Japan Meteorological Agency has raised the intensity assessment of this morning’s earthquake in Taiwan from 7.5 to 7.7 magnitude.
According to Japan’s NHK station, the earthquake in Taiwan was equivalent to level 6 on Japan’s 1-7 rating scale.
Many buildings in Taiwan collapsed
7.2 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan
Images published by Taiwanese media showed many buildings in Hualien city collapsed or tilted.
While Taiwan assessed the earthquake’s intensity at 7.2 degrees, the US Geological Agency and the Japanese Meteorological Agency assessed it at 7.5 degrees and the epicenter at a depth of 33km.
Taiwan’s Defense Agency said military forces were dispatched to the affected area to support people and limit damage.
Local media reported that nearly 10,000 households lost power.
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A partially collapsed building in Hualien, eastern Taiwan (Photo: TVBS)
Earthquake shook eastern Taiwan
According to Taiwan’s weather forecasting agency, the 7.2 magnitude earthquake occurred at 7:58 a.m. today, at a depth of 15.5km off the east coast of Taiwan.
This is the strongest earthquake recorded in Taiwan in the past 25 years.
There is currently no information about casualties or damage in Taiwan due to the impact of this morning’s earthquake.
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The epicenter of the earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien (Photo: Guardian).
Meanwhile, Japan has issued an evacuation advisory for coastal areas of Okinawa Prefecture in the south.
Waves 30cm high appeared on Yonaguni Island, Japan at 9:18 am local time.
The Philippine Seismology Agency also issued warnings to people in coastal areas of several provinces, urging them to evacuate to higher ground.
A Reuters witness said the quake was felt in Shanghai.