4 April 2024
The Ministry of Natural Resources issued a red alert for a tsunami, which was later downgraded to an orange alert.
In Hualien, Chinese Taipei, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake caused work and school classes to be suspended on Wednesday.
According to the China Earthquake Networks Centre, the quake struck at 7:58 am on Wednesday (Beijing Time) and its epicentre was located at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 kilometers. The Ministry of Natural Resources warning centre issued a red alert for a tsunami soon after the earthquake. It later issued an orange alert for tsunami.
Chinese Taipei’s meteorological agency measured the quake as 7.2 magnitude, saying it was the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years since a deadly earthquake struck on 21 September 1999.
According to the agency, the earthquake was monitored at a depth of 15.5 km. The epicentre was located 25 km south-southeast of Hualien. The maximum intensity recorded was 6 magnitude in Hualien County. Local authorities have announced the suspension of work and school classes in Hualien.
Multiple residential buildings partially collapsed in Hualien, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Falling rocks were also reported in hilly areas.
A rubber factory building in New Taipei City collapsed due to the quake. Subways in multiple counties and cities on the island have been temporarily suspended. Taipei’s metro system resumed operation after being suspended for around one hour.
