Rescue efforts are currently underway in Taiwan following a devastating 7.4 magnitude earthquake that struck the island’s eastern coast, resulting in at least nine casualties and over 800 injuries. The epicenter of the quake was located 18km south of Hualien city, with tremors felt as far as 100km away in the capital city of Taipei. This earthquake, the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, caused significant damage in Hualien, where buildings collapsed and roads were blocked, leaving the region isolated from the rest of the island.
The rugged coastline, known for its narrow, winding roads and tunnels, saw landslides blocking routes and trapping over 127 individuals in collapsed tunnels and along mountainous roads. Rescue operations were underway throughout the night to reach those trapped in these precarious locations. The Jinwen and Qingshui tunnels were particularly affected, with images showing the road outside the Qingshui tunnel having collapsed entirely.
In Taipei, residents experienced violent shaking as buildings collapsed and were evacuated from their homes and schools. Power cuts and internet outages were reported across the island. A total of 77 people were trapped in the tunnels, with uncertainty surrounding their access to food and water, and their ability to communicate with the outside world.
Taiwan, home to 23 million people, is a mountainous region with Hualien being a sparsely populated area inhabited by indigenous tribes. The area has historically been difficult to access due to its high mountains, but infrastructure developments since the 1960s have connected it to the rest of the island. This rugged terrain poses challenges for rescue efforts, particularly in reaching remote areas where people are trapped.
President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized the government’s commitment to providing accurate information and timely assistance to those affected. Aid offers from allies like Japan and Paraguay have been received, while China’s offer of assistance was declined due to sovereignty disputes.
The severity of this earthquake, the strongest since 1999, has left both locals and foreigners in Taiwan shaken. The history of earthquakes in Taiwan underscores the need for preparedness and coordinated response efforts to minimize the impact of such natural disasters in the future.
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