Strongest Earthquake Strikes Taiwan: 7 Dead, 730 Injured

A powerful earthquake has struck Taiwan, leaving at least seven people dead and nearly 730 injured. The quake, with a magnitude of 7.4, caused widespread damage to buildings and infrastructure across the island and prompted tsunami warnings that reached as far as Japan and the Philippines before being lifted.

Officials have described this earthquake as the strongest to hit Taiwan in decades. Wu Chien-fu, the director of Taipei's Central Weather Administration's Seismology Center, highlighted the intensity of the quake, noting its shallow depth and widespread impact.

Despite the severity of the quake, Taiwan's strict building regulations and disaster preparedness measures are credited with mitigating what could have been a more catastrophic event. The island, situated near the junction of two tectonic plates, is no stranger to seismic activity.

The aftermath of the quake saw dramatic scenes unfold across Taiwan, with reports of buildings swaying and collapsing. Tragically, three individuals hiking near Hualien City were crushed to death by boulders dislodged by the quake, while a truck driver perished in a landslide.

Social media platforms were flooded with videos and images capturing the moment the quake struck, illustrating the widespread impact it had on communities across Taiwan.

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President Tsai Ing-wen has called for coordinated efforts between local and central government agencies, with the national army poised to provide support.

The earthquake's regional impact extended beyond Taiwan, with tsunami warnings initially issued for Japan and the Philippines. While these warnings were later lifted, the quake's tremors were felt across the region, including in China's Fujian province and Hong Kong.

Despite political tensions between China and Taiwan, China has expressed readiness to provide disaster relief assistance to the affected areas. The earthquake also disrupted operations at Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, briefly halting fabrication at some plants.