Taiwan Hit by Strongest Quake in 25 Years, Four Deaths Reported

TAIPEI, Reuters: A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday, the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years, killing four people, injuring hundreds and sparking a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted.

Taiwan’s government said four people had died in the mountainous, sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien near where the epicentre was, with 711 injured.

The fire department said 77 people remained trapped, some in collapsed buildings in Hualien.

Taiwan television stations showed footage of buildings at precarious angles in Hualien, where the quake struck just offshore around 8am (0000GMT) as people were going to work and school.

The quake was centered just off the east coast at a depth of 15.5km (9.6 miles), according to Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration.

“It was very strong. It felt as if the house was going to topple,” said 60-year-old Taipei hospital worker Chang Yu-lin.

The presidential office said president-elect Lai Ching-te, who takes office next month, would visit Hualien later on Wednesday.

Video showed rescuers using ladders to help people out of windows, while elsewhere, massive landslides caused by the tremors carved down hillsides.

There was also strong shaking felt on Taipei’s subway system, which closed briefly to evacuate passengers though service resumed soon after on most lines.