The earthquake struck on Wednesday morning, just before 8 o’clock local time. Eight hours later, over 100 aftershocks had been recorded. The magnitude was 7.4, making it the most powerful earthquake to hit Taiwan since a quake killed 2,400 in 1999.
At least 127 people are said to be trapped in collapsed tunnels and buildings.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the epicenter was located just off the coast, 18 kilometers south of Hualien City in the east of the island.
Many tunnels
The road into the city of Hualien passes through a series of tunnels, some of them several kilometers long, and according to the authorities, many people and vehicles may be trapped in the tunnels.
– We must do a thorough check of how many people are trapped, and we must rescue them quickly, says President-elect and current Vice-President Lai Ching-te.
As a result of strict building regulations and good knowledge among the population, the island escaped a major disaster. Taiwan is located in a very exposed area, where two tectonic plates meet.
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Hit by rocks
All the dead were in Hualien county, the country’s fire service says.
Three of them were on a trip in a natural area outside the city. They were hit by rocks that came loose. Two drivers also lost their lives when their vehicles were hit by large rocks, while another man died in a mine.
The quake was noticeable in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei, where power went out in several areas. Residents in Hong Kong and Fujian province on the Chinese mainland could also feel the tremors. In Taipei, the metro stopped for a short period, and passengers were asked to be aware of gas leaks.
The quake triggered tsunami warnings in both Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan, but two hours later the message came that the danger was largely over.
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Buildings swayed
Social media was full of videos and photos on Wednesday showing buildings swaying and left leaning after the quake.
– It shook violently, the pictures on the wall, my television and the liquor cabinet fell, says a man in Hualien to SET TV.
In New Taipei City, in the far north of the island, a warehouse collapsed, and more than 50 people were rescued from the ruins.
Relations between China and Taiwan are tense, and China considers the island part of its territory. Following the earthquake, China’s Taiwan Affairs Office has expressed strong concern and offered to send aid.
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