Taiwan’s Deadliest Earthquake: on Wednesday, Taiwan was struck by a formidable 7.2 magnitude earthquake, the strongest to hit the island in over two decades, resulting in widespread devastation. The quake claimed seven lives and left over 700 individuals injured.
The Taiwan’s Deadliest Earthquake, which rattled the island nation on Wednesday morning, caused significant destruction and sparked panic among residents. Its epicenter was situated just offshore near the mountainous and sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien.
Television broadcasts captured harrowing scenes of buildings leaning at precarious angles and massive landslides engulfing the terrain. The tremors trapped 77 individuals in tunnels and collapsed structures, triggering a frantic rescue mission.
Chang Yu-lin, a 60-year-old hospital worker in Taipei, described the quake’s intensity, remarking, “It was very strong. It felt as if the house was going to topple.”
Striking at a depth of 15.5 km (9.6 miles) around 8 a.m., the earthquake caught many residents off guard as they were going about their morning routines.
In the aftermath, a tsunami warning was issued for southern Japan and the Philippines, although it was later rescinded. Rescuers worked tirelessly to free those trapped, employing ladders to help people descend to safety, including two Germans stuck in a tunnel.
Taiwan’s Deadliest Earthquake: Authorities reported a staggering 736 injuries, underscoring the magnitude of the disaster. President-elect Lai Ching-te stressed the immediate need for rescue operations, declaring, “At present, the most crucial thing, the top priority, is to save lives.” Lai, slated to take office next month, vowed swift action to address the crisis.
Despite the widespread devastation, there were displays of resilience and solidarity as communities banded together in the face of adversity. Efforts to restore normalcy were underway, with plans to reopen the rail link to the affected area on Thursday.
