Impressive earthquake in Taiwan: Colombian Foreign Ministry enabled service channels for nationals on the island

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After the 7.4 earthquake, the Foreign Ministry enabled the attention lines – credit Reuters

The United States Geological Survey (Usgs) reported that on the morning of Wednesday, April 3, a strong earthquake of magnitude 7.4 shook the east coast of Taiwan. The earthquake, which according to Taiwanese authorities became the most serious recorded on the island in the last 25 years, has already left at least nine people dead and hundreds injured, according to the first reports.

According to the Usgs, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 18 kilometers south of the city of Hualien with a depth of 34.8 km. Minutes later, the authorities recorded an aftershock of magnitude 6.5, and in fact, they expect more to be recorded in the coming hours.

“The earthquake was close to the ground and is shallow. It was felt throughout Taiwan and the islands (…). It is the strongest in 25 years,” Wu Chien-fu, director of the Taiwanese Seismological Center, told reporters.

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The preliminary report from the Taiwanese authorities indicates that nine people have died so far due to the earthquake in Taiwan – credit EFE

In the photographs from Taiwan it has been observed how, as a result of the earthquake, several buildings tilted dangerously due to the shaking, as well as landslides and the eviction of people from residences and educational centers.

“Everything was shaking violently. The pictures on the wall, the television and the liquor cabinet fell,” a resident of the city of Hualien told local television SET TV.

Faced with the great earthquake that occurred in Taiwan, the Foreign Ministry enabled the attention channels – credit Reuters

After the earthquake in Taiwan and the desolate panorama left by the 7.4 magnitude earthquake, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs enabled service channels to provide assistance to Colombians in the Asian island nation.

“We have activated our service channels to assist Colombians who have been affected by the earthquake in Taiwan,” the Foreign Ministry wrote in its X account.

According to the Ministry, nationals who need to contact the Consulate General of Colombia in Hong Kong SAR can do so through the telephone line (852) 2545 8547. In the event that they need to contact the WhatsApp number for emergencies of the Consulate of Colombia in Hong Kong, you can write to (852) 6460 4848.

The Colombian Foreign Ministry enabled emergency numbers for Colombians who are in Taiwan – credit Reuters

If you need to contact the emergency lines in Hong Kong, according to the Foreign Ministry, you can dial the following numbers:

• Firefighters: 119.
• Police: 110.
• International Operator: 100.

If you are in Colombia and have relatives in Taiwan, the Foreign Ministry has set up some contact lines – credit Europa Press

In the event that you are in Colombia and have family, friends or acquaintances in Taiwan, and need to contact the Foreign Ministry, the entity informed that you can do so through the following service channels:

• Interactive Voice System-IVR: (+57-601) 3626399.
• Switch: (+57-601) 3814000 EXT 5697.
• National toll-free line: 01 8000 336 000.
• National toll-free Complaints and Claims Line: 01 8000 979 899.

Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided the following recommendations so that if you are in Taiwan you can guarantee your safety:

• Always have emergency report numbers on hand.
• Identify the type of emergency and get in touch.

Below is the information issued by the Foreign Ministry:

Help lines for Colombians in Taiwan – Foreign Ministry credit

According to the most recent report provided by the National Fire Agency of Taiwan (NFA), cited by CNN in Spanish, the death toll from the earthquake that hit Taiwan on Wednesday morning rose to nine, while until At that time the number of injured rose to 882 injured.

The rescue organization also reported that at the moment there are 131 individuals trapped in the rubble of the earthquake, including 50 workers from the Silk’s Place Hotel Taroko who were traveling in four minibuses. According to the NFA, they are considered trapped as they have not been able to establish telephone contact with them so far.