Thursday, November 14, 2024

Taiwan earthquake: Rescuers race to save dozens trapped in tunnels with nine confirmed dead – Latest

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Buildings partially collapsed after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan

At least 50 people are still missing after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan's east coast, killing nine people and injuring more than 1,000 others.

The tremors triggered at least nine landslides, and debris collapsed hillsides on the Suhua Expressway in Hualien, which runs along the east coast.

According to Taiwan's National Fire Agency (NFA), people are trapped in two tunnels along the Suhua Expressway, one of the most dangerous roads in Taiwan, running between the mountainside and the ocean.

Rescue teams are working to reach the trapped people, as CNN reported that 75 people stranded in various tunnels were rescued in the morning.

The quake, the strongest in 25 years in Taiwan, triggered tsunami warnings on the island and throughout neighboring countries, seismic officials said.

More than 77 people remain trapped under the rubble after the quake caused widespread damage and power outages across the country.

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A strong earthquake off the coast of Honshu, Japan

The European Mediterranean Seismological Center said that a 6-magnitude earthquake occurred off the eastern coast of Honshu Island, Japan, on Thursday.

The quake was recorded at a depth of 32 kilometers, just one day after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan, triggering tsunami warnings for Japan.

Alisha Rahman SarkarApril 4, 2024 05:11

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A Taipei resident says she cried because of the earthquake

“Earthquakes are common, and I've gotten used to them. But today was the first time I was afraid to cry because of an earthquake,” Hsin Hswen Keng said.

“The earthquake woke me up. I've never felt such intense shaking before,” she said.

She said she witnessed such a strong earthquake for the first time in her life, “except for earthquake drills in elementary school.”

Lin Jong, 36, who runs a sports shoe store in Hualien, recounted that he was at home, preparing to take his 16-month-old child to a medical appointment when the quake struck.

At first, he experienced what seemed like minor tremors, and described how the seismic activity quickly escalated into intense shaking.

The glass cover of the ceiling lamp fell and broke, prompting him to prioritize protecting his child from harm amidst the chaos.

“All I can do is protect my child.”

(AP)

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 05:00

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Chinese planes surround Taiwan as the island reels from a powerful earthquake

On Wednesday, Taiwan detected 30 Chinese aircraft and nine ships around the island when it was struck by the strongest earthquake in more than two decades.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry said at least 20 aircraft entered Taiwan's northern, central and southwestern air defense identification zone.

“The Republic of China Armed Forces monitored the situation and used CAP aircraft, Navy ships and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities,” it said.

Alisha Rahman SarkarApril 4, 2024 04:46

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China provides disaster relief aid to Taiwan

“Relevant parties on the mainland are deeply concerned and express their sincere condolences to their compatriots in Taiwan affected by the disaster,” said Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office spokesman Zhu Fenglian.

However, offers of assistance are unlikely to be accepted, given the tense relations between the island and the mainland.

China and Taiwan remain locked in a long-running territorial dispute with Beijing claiming the island as its own despite not controlling the self-governing democratic island.

Wu Xinfu, head of Taiwan's Earthquake Monitoring Bureau, said the effects of the quake were felt on mainland China and as far away as Taiwan-controlled islands off the coast of China.

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 04:30

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More than 50 are still missing a day after a powerful earthquake

More than 50 people are still missing in Taiwan, a day after the island was hit by a powerful 7.24-magnitude earthquake.

The Taiwan Fire Department said that the number of injured reached 1,038, bringing the total number of missing to 52.

About a dozen hotel workers on their way to a resort in Taroko National Park have been located, and 38 of them are still missing.

The fire department said rescue work focused on people trapped on the Trans-Island Highway, which passes through the strait that connects the city of Hualien to the western coast of Taiwan, and is a popular tourist destination.

Authorities are using drones and helicopters to search for people in the valley and will drop supplies to them when they are found.

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Watch: Buildings partially collapse after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

Buildings partially collapsed after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 04:00

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“The largest earthquake since the New Year's Day earthquake.”

Experts say that the intensity of the earthquake, which reached a magnitude of 7.2, and its impact on Taiwan since the New Year's earthquake in Japan.

“This 7.4-magnitude earthquake on the central east coast of Taiwan is the largest earthquake to occur since the New Year’s Day earthquake on the Noto Peninsula in Japan,” said Adam Pascal, chief scientist at the Center for Earthquake Research.

Professor Megan S. Miller from the Australian National University explained that the reason for the high strength is Taiwan's unique location.

“The M7.4 earthquake that occurred 35 km below the east coast of Taiwan was the result of convergence between the Philippine Sea plate and the Eurasian plate. This complex tectonic situation has produced many other large (M7+) earthquakes historically,” Dr. He said.

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 03:30

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World leaders send messages of support to Taiwan after the devastating earthquake

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 03:00

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Indian Prime Minister sends his condolences to Taiwan

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sent his condolences to Taiwan following Wednesday's devastating earthquake.

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen later responded to Modi and thanked him for his “solidarity.”

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 02:30

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In pictures: Rescue teams search for survivors

Rescue team members search for survivors in a damaged building in Hualien City

(Taiwan National Fire Agency/AF)

Members of a search and rescue team search for victims inside a tilted building following the earthquake that struck the city of Hualien in eastern Taiwan.

(AP)

Firefighters search inside the building for the rescue operation. The Uranus Building is tilted at an angle of more than 60 degrees, and one person is still missing

(Anatolia via Getty Images)

Mike BediganApril 4, 2024 at 02:00

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