Powerful Earthquake near Taiwan Triggers Tsunami Warnings
On Wednesday, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.5 struck near Taiwan, leading to tsunami warnings for southern Japanese islands. The Japan Meteorological Agency issued alerts for remote Japanese islands close to Taiwan, including Miyakojima Island.
Immediate Tsunami Threat
The agency warned of tsunami waves as high as three meters (10 feet) in the affected areas. The earthquake, which occurred at around 9:00 am Japanese local time, caused power outages in various parts of the region.
Impact and Response
Reports indicated collapsed buildings near the quake’s epicenter, with some individuals trapped in debris. The tremors were felt as far as Shanghai, underscoring the quake’s significant reach.
Evacuation Orders
Japanese authorities issued evacuation advisories for coastal areas in Okinawa, while Japan’s national broadcaster broadcasted urgent warnings for residents to move to higher ground immediately. Similar alerts were issued by the Philippines Seismology Agency for coastal regions in different provinces.
Regional Effects
The earthquake’s impact extended to China’s Fujian province, where tremors were felt in several cities. Despite the seismic activity, no major damage was reported in Taipei city, and essential services like the MRT resumed operation swiftly.
Industrial Resilience
The Southern Taiwan Science Park, home to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, reported uninterrupted operations following the earthquake. This incident marked the most significant quake in Taiwan since 1999, a reminder of the region’s seismic vulnerability.
