Taiwan Earthquake Cause Widespread Damage, Toll Rises To 4. Helpline Opened For Indians: Top Points

The biggest earthquake in nearly 25 years in Taiwan which hit the island nation today has claimed the lives of four people and injured nearly 50 people.

A 7.5 magnitude earthquake jolted the eastern coast of Taiwan on Wednesday, in what is said to be the strongest quake that the island nation has witnessed in the past 25 years. In view of the earthquake the India Taipei Association set up an emergency helpline number to provide assistance, clarification, or guidance to all Indian nationals residing in Taiwan. Till now the earthquake has claimed four lives and injured ovee 50 people.

Here are the top points-

• While Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency stated that the earthquake was recorded at 7.2, the U.S. Geological Survey stated that it measured 7.5 on the Richter scale. Reuters laster revised up the Taiwan's earthquake magnitude to 7.7 from 7.5, citing Japan Meteorological Agency.


• Following the earthquake, around four people were reported dead, and over 50 were injured in Taiwan, AFP reported.


• The earthquake hit the island nation around 9:00 am Japanese local time on March 3.


• Following the devastating quake, the India Taipei Association set up an emergency helpline number to provide assistance, clarification, or guidance to all Indian nationals residing in Taiwan: Mobile: 0905247906 Email: ad.ita@mea.gov.in


• Taiwanese weather authortities called it the biggest sesismic event since 1999. As per media reports, the 921 quake had killed more than 2000 people.


• The epicentre of the earthquake was located off the coast of Hualien's eastern county, in the waters off the eastern coastline of Taiwan island.


• Two buildings near the epicentre collapsed, AFP reported citing inputs from the Hualien Fire Department.


• As per the report, the earthquake prompted a tsunami warning for southern Japanese islands. Waves as high as three metres, or 9.8 feet, were likely to hit the island of Miyakojima.


• A tsunami warning was also issued for Miyakojima and Okinawa and the officials concerned, urged the people around the affected areas to evacuate and move to higher ground immediately, Japan Times reported.


• Taiwan issued a similar tsunami warning as well where television stations showed visuals of buildings in the eastern city of Hualien shaking off their foundations, Associated Press reported, adding that the tremors were felt in the capital Taipei also.


• As per Reuters, the quake was felt as far as Shanghai. People in Fuzhou, Quanzhou, Xiamen, and Ningde in China's Fujian province also felt the tremors, as per Chinese state media.


• Philippines Seismology Agency also issued a warning for residents in coastal areas of several provinces, requesting them to evacuate to higher ground. However, hours later, the warning was cancelled, Reuters reported.


• After the earthquake, scary visuals emerged from Taiwan, showing toppled buildings, jolting highways, and shaking skyscrapers. Taiwanese television stations also showed visuals of buildings shaking off their foundation in Hualien.


• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center stated that the tsunami warning "largely passed" after the quake.  However, Okinawa's main airport suspended flights after the tsunami warning, AFP reported.