Taiwan earthquake leaves 9 dead and 50 missing

A powerful earthquake hit Taiwan tonight CET, the biggest in the last 25 years. According to Reuters, nine people have already lost their lives, more than 900 are injured and 50 hotel workers who were on their way to the hotel are missing. The magnitude 7.2 earthquake began at approximately 8:00 a.m. local time at a depth of 15.5 km. Authorities subsequently warned of a tsunami that could hit southern Japan and the Philippines. However, this warning was later withdrawn.

Firefighters have so far evacuated around 70 people who were stuck in the tunnels near the city of Chualien and about 80 more people are known to be trapped in the mining area. The missing hotel workers were in a total of four minibuses heading to the hotel located in the Taroko Gorge National Park when the earthquake struck. “At present, the most important and highest priority is to save people,President Lai Ching-te said in Hualien.

All the deaths were reported in Chua-lien County and included three tourists, according to CNN. Property damage is also huge as buildings have collapsed and been damaged. Thousands of residents are without power and a local highway has also been closed due to landslides. However, there are already soldiers on site who will help with the removal of damage after the disaster. Authorities said more aftershocks of similar strength could occur by the end of the week.

Taiwan is located to the east of China and is an island with a population of approximately 23 million. But most live on the west side, that is, on the other side of the island where the earthquake happened. However, earthquakes are quite frequent in Taiwan, due to its location. Today’s was the strongest since 1999, when it was measured at magnitude 7.7. At the time, it claimed 2,400 lives and injured 10,000 as it hit the area south of Taipei. Chua-lien District is not so densely populated – about 300,000 people live here.