According to a report, Taiwan has been struck by its strongest earthquake in 25 years. Reportedly, 9 people have died and 821 have been injured in the quake which measured a magnitude of over 7. According to the report, the epicentre was about 11 miles south west of Hualien and about 22 miles deep, and struck Hualien county at 07.58 local time. Reportedly, officials are working to rescue people that are trapped, 77 are underground and 50 were passengers in 4 minibuses in Hualien city.
According to the report, 87,000 households were without power, train and metro services were suspended and schools equipped their students with helmets and evacuated them to sports fields. Reportedly, Taiwan lies on the Pacific ring of fire, a line of seismic faults where most of the world’s earthquakes occur. According to the report, Taiwan’s worst earthquake in recent years occurred in 1999 resulting in 2,400 deaths and 100,000 injuries.
Reportedly, the earthquake was felt in Shanghai and other parts of China and led to a small tsunami in some areas of Japan. According to the report, Japan who have offered support to Taiwan in the midst of the quake have told their citizens to stay on higher ground until it is safe. Reportedly, in 2011 a 9 magnitude earthquake struck Japan, triggering a large tsunami and a nuclear crisis.