A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan on the morning of Wednesday, April 3 (local time), 2024, and rescue efforts continued on Thursday, April 4. The death toll has risen to 10 and more than 1,000 people were injured as of Thursday.
Though earthquakes are common in Taiwan, this earthquake was Taiwan's strongest earthquake in 25 years. The earthquake damaged many buildings in Hualien, which was the epicenter of the earthquake. Images and videos of the aftermath show large buildings tilted at a dramatic angle and people evacuating their homes. The earthquake was much stronger than authorities anticipated, but rescue efforts have been quick, and people in the city of Hualien have already been able to carry on with their normal lives, NPR reported.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs shared a statement on X, thanking people for their concern and support.
"We appreciate the worldwide good wishes & prayers issued in the wake of the 7.2 earthquake & ongoing aftershocks. Support from allies & friends in moments of adversity touches our hearts & strengthens our resolve—#Taiwan stands strong as an #IslandOfResilience," the statement read.
The earthquake affected commuters on their way to work (or school), as the earthquake struck at around 8 a.m. local time. Video footage shows people on the subway in Taipei grasping onto the poles on the subway as it rocked back and forth.
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As of Wednesday night local time, more than 100 people were still trapped in Hualien. Efforts to rescue people trapped in tunnels and buildings continued into the night, the BBC reported.
By Thursday, the number of people trapped increased to more than 600, reported BBC. Independent reported that some of the people who are trapped could not be contacted.
Xinhua News reported that as of 9 p.m. local time on Thursday, 38 people were still missing.
Although many residents of Taiwan are used to mild earthquakes, they were shocked by the strength of this earthquake.
One person told CBS News that "earthquakes are a common occurrence, and I've grown accustomed to them."
But this time, the person, named Hsien-hsuen Keng, was "scared to tears."
"I was awakened by the earthquake. I had never felt such intense shaking before," Hsien-hsuen Keng told CBS.
A 7.6 magnitude earthquake that hit Taiwan in September 1999 was the last major earthquake in Taiwan prior to this one. It killed 2,400 people, reported BBC.
It might take time to understand the impact of the earthquake, as many people Hualien live in remote areas, CNN reported. About 300,000 people live in the county.
Numerous aftershocks have been reported — more than 300 as of Thursday, according to Independent. Officials say that aftershocks could continue in the region for days, USA Today reported.
Tremors were also reported in parts of China and Japan. The Philippines issued tsunami warnings.
Relief workers are working to demolish damaged buildings in the city of Hualien. Train services in Taiwan resumed within 24 hours, as per NPR, and although at least 10 people have died so far, the number of casualties is low compared to the 1999 earthquake in which more than 2,000 died.
The low number of deaths is likely due to efforts to improve their infrastructure after the devastating earthquake in 1999, NPR reported.
