In the early morning hours of Wednesday (local time), East Taiwan was jolted by a powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake, sending tremors across the region and triggering tsunami warnings in Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines. Hualien City, located in Taiwan, bore the brunt as the epicenter of the seismic event.

Initially reported as a 7.4 magnitude quake by the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake was later revised to a staggering 7.7 magnitude. Japan’s Meteorological Agency pegged it at 7.5. The epicenter was situated approximately 18 kilometers south of Hualien City, at a depth of 34.8 kilometers.

The aftermath has been devastating, with casualties and injuries reported. According to the Taiwan government, the earthquake claimed the lives of four individuals and left fifty others injured. Moreover, large-scale destruction has been reported, with landslides wreaking havoc in various parts of Taiwan. The seismic activity has also led to widespread internet outages, exacerbating communication challenges in the affected areas.

The impact on infrastructure has been severe, with approximately 87,000 homes left without electricity in the wake of the earthquake. The authorities are working tirelessly to assess the extent of the damage and provide assistance to those affected.

Emergency measures are underway to mitigate the risk of potential tsunamis, with authorities in Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines on high alert. The region remains on edge as aftershocks continue to rattle nerves, highlighting the urgent need for preparedness and resilience in the face of natural disasters.