[imagesource:TVBS Screenshot / The Conversation]
The biggest earthquake in Taiwan in at least 25 years claimed nine lives on Wednesday and injured more than 900 people. 50 workers travelling in minibuses to a hotel in a national park have also been reported missing.
Near the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude quake, which struck just off the shore of the sparsely populated county of Hualien, landslides were triggered and buildings tilted at precarious angles, while others lay in rubble.
As hoards of emergency workers tried to shore up damaged buildings and demolish those deemed impossible to save, Hualien City Mayor Hsu Chen-Wei advised all residents and businesses in buildings that were in a dangerous state to be evacuated immediately, reported Reuters. Demolition work was beginning on four buildings, the mayor said.
“At present the most important thing, the top priority, is to rescue people,” said President-elect Lai Ching-te, speaking outside one of the collapsed buildings in Hualien.
Fire authorities said they had already evacuated some 70 people trapped in tunnels near Hualien city, including two Germans. Another 80 people are trapped in a mining area, though it was not immediately clear if they were inside a mine.
The main event is over, but more than 50 aftershocks have already been recorded. The power of the quake was captured on various live cameras, dashcams, and CCTV cameras.
Boulders crushed cars:
Boulders crash down after Taiwan earthquake pic.twitter.com/ETZSUBJMUK
— Wild World (@Wild_XW) April 4, 2024
Rooftop pools became building waterfalls:
A rooftop swimming pool is pouring water down during Taiwan Earthquake pic.twitter.com/HAG8DpVq0P
— Bonjour (@imromec) April 4, 2024
Trust your animals, folks:
Dog senses upcoming Taiwan earthquake moments before it strikes, alerting its owners. pic.twitter.com/HcG5L3KhAD
— That’s Insane (@InsaneVid) April 4, 2024
The earthquake hit at a depth of 15.5 km, as people were headed for work and school, setting off a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines – but that was later lifted.
[source:reuters]
