The director of the Taipei Seismological Center, Wu Chien-fu, explained that it was the “strongest earthquake in the last 25 years” that hit the island “close to the earth and shallow”, being “felt throughout Taiwan and nearby islands “. “The public should heed relevant warnings and messages, and be prepared for seismological evacuation,” he advised.
In September 1999, an earthquake of magnitude 7.6 claimed 2,400 lives in Taiwan. Situated near two tectonic plates, the island country experiences regular seismic activity. Authorities warned of the possibility of new tremors in the coming days.
The Philippines had issued warnings of “high tsunami waves” and prepared to evacuate coastal areas, but lifted the alarm. The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also canceled the tsunami warning for its southern islands.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida declared himself ready to provide all necessary assistance to Taiwan, its “neighbor across the ocean.” Japan records around 1,500 concussions per year. The most notable, of magnitude 9.0, in March 2011, resulted in the Fukushima nuclear disaster, totaling 18,500 dead or missing.
av/cn (AP, Reuters, Lusa)
Tags: Earthquake Taiwan deaths hundreds injuries
