A strong earthquake is felt by the residents of Taiwan, and the authorities issue a tsunami warning in Japan and the Philippines world

Residents felt a strong earthquake measuring 7.5 on the Richter scale in Taiwan, Tuesday night (2) – Wednesday morning (3), local time. Authorities issued tsunami warnings in Japan and the Philippines.

What is known so far:

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, a 7.5 magnitude tremor was recorded off the eastern coast of Taiwan.
Buildings collapsed in Hualien City, trapping people under the rubble.
After the earthquake, tsunami warnings were issued for islands in Japan and the Philippines.
In the case of Japan, waves are expected to reach 3 meters in height on the island of Okinawa.
This is the strongest earthquake recorded in Taiwan in the past 25 years.
The earthquake was also felt by residents of Chinese coastal cities, including Shanghai.

A leaning building in Hualien City, Taiwan after a strong earthquake on April 3, 2024 – Image: TVBS

Taiwanese television stations reported that some buildings collapsed in the city of Hualien, and that people were trapped under the rubble.

Landslides were also recorded after the earthquake. In the capital, Taipei, power was cut off in part of the city.

Until the last update of this report, there was no information about any casualties.

According to the Japan Meteorological Agency, the epicenter of the earthquake was recorded near the eastern coast of Taiwan. According to authorities, residents felt the quake near the surface.

At least 10 aftershocks of magnitude greater than 5.0 were felt in the hour that followed the quake, according to the US Geological Survey.

Taiwan's official news agency said this was the strongest earthquake recorded since 1999, 25 years ago, when the quake killed 2,400 people and damaged 50,000 properties.

Building collapses after earthquake in Taiwan – Image: TVBS via AP

Japanese broadcaster NHK reported that waves up to one meter high could hit the Japanese island of Okinawa. Residents living in the area were ordered to evacuate.

NHK also said waves as high as 30 cm were recorded on the Japanese island of Yonaguni, which is about 100 kilometers off the east coast of Taiwan.

The Philippine government also asked residents of coastal areas to leave their homes.

The place where an earthquake occurred near Taiwan — Photo: Barbara Miranda/g1