In a seismic event that reverberated across Taiwan and beyond, a potent 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the eastern region of Taiwan just before 8 am local time on Wednesday, April 3. The tremor triggered tsunami alerts not only for Taiwan but also for parts of southern Japan, prompting swift evacuation measures in these vulnerable coastal areas. Responding to the seismic aftermath, the Philippines also issued tsunami warnings and mandated the evacuation of coastal zones in the wake of the Taiwanese quake.
Tragically, the toll of casualties from the substantial earthquake in Taiwan has risen to seven, with the count of injuries surging to 736, as reported by the national fire agency. These fatalities predominantly occurred in Hualien county, a rugged terrain along Taiwan’s eastern shoreline that bore the brunt of the quake’s epicenter. Discrepancies in reported magnitudes emerged, with the United States Geological Survey (USGS) assessing the quake at 7.4 magnitude, while Japan’s Meteorological Agency pegged it at 7.7 magnitude.
Describing the seismic event as the most formidable in a quarter-century, Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei’s Seismology Centre, highlighted its profound impact. Wu noted, “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 since the (1999) earthquake,” referencing the devastating 7.6-magnitude quake in September 1999, which claimed 2,400 lives.
The ramifications of the earthquake were palpable, as evidenced by structural damage to buildings, including a five-story structure in Hualien that suffered significant collapse, leaving sections precariously slanted. In Taipei, the capital, reports surfaced of falling tiles from older edifices and within newer office complexes, underlining the widespread impact of the seismic upheaval.
As updates streamed in, it became apparent that the seismic shockwaves were felt far beyond Taiwan’s borders. Television broadcasts revealed collapsed structures in Hualien, near the quake’s epicenter, with reports of individuals trapped under debris. The quake’s influence extended as distant as Shanghai, according to eyewitnesses cited by Reuters.
The epicenter of the quake was identified just off the eastern coast of Hualien, prompting warnings of tsunami waves reaching heights of up to three meters for remote Japanese islands, including Miyakojima island. Urgent evacuation orders were issued by Japanese authorities, urging residents to seek higher ground immediately, with national broadcaster NHK displaying banners with stark directives: “Evacuate!” and “Tsunami is coming. Please evacuate immediately.”
Live broadcasts captured scenes of maritime vessels departing from ports in the Okinawa region, including Naha, in efforts to secure their ships against potential tsunami surges. Train and subway services were suspended across Taiwan, affecting millions, although normalcy gradually resumed in Taipei, with schoolchildren returning to classes and commuters resuming their morning routines.
As Taiwan grappled with the aftermath of this seismic event, memories of past tragedies resurfaced, notably the catastrophic 7.6-magnitude earthquake in September 1999, which remains the deadliest natural disaster in the island’s history. Meanwhile, in Japan, accustomed to frequent seismic activity, the earthquake served as a stark reminder of the perpetual threat posed by nature’s relentless forces.