Strongest earth quake of 2 decade in Taiwan and Japan: 9 dead 900 injured

Taiwan and Japan faced the strongest earthquake of the last 2 decades. The Earthquake Monitor Agency of Taiwan recorded a magnitude of 7.2 whereas the U.S. recorded it as 7.5. 

Early Wednesday, a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Taiwan, causing overall destruction and building collapses across the whole island. In response to the seismic activity. In Tokyo, 9 people lost their lives and 900 individuals were injured in a critical situation. Japan promptly issued a tsunami alert for Okinawa, a southern island group. The Meteorological Agency of Japan warned of a potential tsunami reaching heights of up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) following the quake, which occurred at 7:58 am local time.

Around thirty minutes later, reports said that the initial wave of the tsunami had already made landfall on the coasts of Miyako and Yaeyama islands. Varying reports emerged regarding the earthquake's magnitude, with Taiwan's monitoring agency citing it as 7.2, while the US Geological Survey recorded it as 7.5. Television broadcasts captured scenes of buildings in Hualien, Taiwan's eastern city, trembling violently as they were shaken from their foundations. The seismic activity was also felt in the capital city of Taipei.

Dozens of people were believed to be safe but inaccessible, they were trapped in areas isolated by massive landslides made by the earthquake, particularly within tunnels traversing the island's mountainous terrain from north to south.

Officials emphasized that this earthquake was the strongest to hit Taiwan and Japan in decades and cautioned the crowd to remain vigilant for potential aftershocks in the days ahead. Despite the severity of the earthquake, Taiwan's strict building regulations and widespread public awareness of disaster preparedness likely mitigated what could have been a far more catastrophic outcome for the earthquake-prone island, situated near the convergence of two tectonic plates.

Residents recounted harrowing experiences, with many expressing gratitude for their safety despite damage to their homes and belongings. For instance, a woman named Chang, residing near the capital, recounted how her neighboring printing press warehouse collapsed during the quake, yet miraculously all 50 individuals inside were rescued unharmed.

Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei's Central Weather Administration's Seismology Center, compared this quake to the devastating 7.6-magnitude earthquake that struck in September 1999, claiming around 2,400 lives, marking it as the deadliest natural disaster in the island's history.

The earthquake, measuring magnitude 7.4, occurred just before 8:00 am local time (0000 GMT), with the epicenter located 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Taiwan's Hualien City, at a depth of 34.8 kilometers. Tragically, casualties included three individuals crushed by boulders while hiking, as well as fatalities resulting from vehicular accidents caused by tumbling rocks and incidents at a mining quarry.

The immediate aftermath saw widespread damage, with buildings swaying violently, structures tilting, and warehouses crumbling. Rescue efforts were swiftly initiated, with over 50 survivors extricated from collapsed buildings in New Taipei City alone. However, challenges persisted as landslides disrupted transportation routes, trapping numerous individuals in vehicles and miners at a quarry.

Amidst regional concern, tsunami warnings were issued initially for Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines, although they were later lifted as the threat diminished. In Taiwan's capital, Taipei, the metro briefly halted operations but resumed service promptly. Meanwhile, residents were advised by local authorities to check for gas leaks in their homes.

The seismic tremors were also felt across the Taiwan Strait, with reports of strong vibrations from China's Fujian province and residents in Hong Kong. China, despite its political dispute with Taiwan, expressed readiness to provide disaster relief assistance, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in times of crisis.