Update: BBC is reporting 9 dead and CNN says about 700 hundredii are injured after most powerful quake in Taiwan. Rescures are searching trying to pull 77 people from colapsed building, While five of the dead include thre hikers on a nearby trail-died from falling rocks. The remote, mountainsous region of Hualien rocked by huge landslide, caising damage which could take weks to repair.
Warnings on the island and neighboring countries . Most of which were later retracted. All flights from Okinawa and Kagoshima prefectures were According to Japan Airlines suspended. Flights from Okinawa s Naha airport resumedafter the warning was downgraded airport oficials told CNN. Japan’s Meteorological Agency has lifted a tsunami used for the Mlyakojima and Yaeyama Islands.It has also changed its tsunami warning for southwestern areas to an advisory However, officials say higher tsunami waves are possible.
The metro system and high -speed rail have ben suspended. In Taiwan thosands of homes are without power and a major highway along the islands east coast is shut to traffic due to damage from landslides and rockfalls. Taiwan has dispatched its military personnel to help with disaster relief.schols and workplaces suspended operations as after shocks hit the island, cording to the defense ministry. CNN reported. Large boulders are strewn across the Suhua highway with several tunnels broken. Authorities in Philippines to have used Tsunami warnings for the coastal areas, along the pacific Ocean.
The Seismology agency says the warning may remain in place for several more hours. Japan’s Meteorological Agency has changed a tsunami warning for the Miyakojima and Yaeyama islands, and the Okinawa Main Island to a tsunami advisory. Officials are still urging people there to stay away from coastal areas. Taiwan authorities say a magnitude 7.2 earthquake struck about 25 kilometers off the coast of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan on Wednesday. The Quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years. According to the US Geological Survey it was followed by a preliminary magnitude 6.5 after shock Taiwan TV is showing footage of some collapsed building in Hualien near the quakes Epic center and some people have ben trapped.A five story house and another building in Hualien Taiwan.A seven-decade- house in Keelung and at least one other building in Taipel have falling debris.
Japan’s top government spokesperson says there are no reports of damage in the country so far. Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashi Yoshimasa said, “We have established an emergency crisis headquarters. People’s lives come first when taking necessary measures. We will continue to gather information on the latest situation.”
This is the first time the meteorological agency has issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Okinawa Prefecture since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for the Miyakojima and Yaeyama islands and the Okinawa Main Island.
Waves have already reached some areas with more expected to be as high as 3 meters.
Officials are asking people in those areas to evacuate to higher ground or safe places as soon as possible. Officials say a 30-centimeter tsunami was observed at Yonaguni Island at 9:18 a.m. Japan time Wednesday.
Tsunami also reached Ishigaki Island at 9:32 a.m. Officials expect tsunami up to 3 meters high in the region. The warning was issued after an estimated magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit just before 9 a.m.
Japan’s meteorological agency says the epicenter was near Taiwan.
his is the first time the Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Okinawa Prefecture since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.
According to Taiwan’s weather authorities, the epicenter of Wednesday’s quake was about 25 kilometers off the coast of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan, at a depth of about 15 kilometers, and the magnitude is estimated to be 7.2. According to NHK.
BBC added the
The Philippines’ seismology agency has also issued a tsunami warning.
Chinese state media said tremors were felt in parts of China’s south-eastern Fujian province.
“The earthquake is close to land and it’s shallow. It’s felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands… It’s the strongest in 25 years,” said Wu Chien Fu, the director of Taipei’s Seismology Centre.
In September 1999, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, killing 2,400 people and destroying 5,000 buildings.
Wednesday’s earthquake hit at 07:58 local time (23:58 GMT) at a depth of 15.5km and has set off at least nine aftershocks at magnitude 4 or larger.
Footage on local media outlets show collapsed residential buildings and people being evacuated from their homes and schools. The impact of the earthquake has also smashed vehicles and thrown items inside stores in disarray, according to clips aired by local broadcaster TVBS.
