4 dead as big earthquake hits Taiwan, strongest in 25 years
At least four people were killed and dozens others were injured after an earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale struck Taiwan on Wednesday, which also triggered a tsunami in Japan's Yonaguni Island. This is the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years since a 7.2-magnitude temblor struck the country's Nantou county in 1999, killing more than 2,500 people and injuring over 1,300 others.
Local fire department officials said the four people died in Hualien county, the earthquake's epicentre, the Associated Press reported.
The earthquake also damaged buildings in Hualien, while train services were suspended across Taiwan. Options were given to schools and government offices to cancel classes and work.
While the US Geological Survey (USGS) said the temblor's magnitude was 7.4, Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency said it measured 7.2 on the Richter scale.
The USGS said multiple aftershocks hit Taipei, including one that was 6.5 magnitude and about 11.8 km deep.
Meanwhile, train services were also suspended across Taiwan and in the capital Taipei, there were reports of tiles falling from buildings.
In Japan, authorities said a tsunami wave measuring about 1 foot was detected on Yonaguni Island about 15 minutes after the earthquake struck Taiwan.
According to the JMA, this was the first tsunami warning in Okinawa in 26 years, with the last one issued in 1998 after a 7.7 earthquake struck south of Ishigaki Island.
Japan's Self-Defense Force has scrambled aircraft to monitor the impact of the tsunami and was also preparing evacuation shelters.
A spokesperson from Okinawa's Naha Airport confirmed to CNN that all flights were diverted, while employees and personnel were evacuated to the third floor in anticipation of the tsunami's impact.
