Nine killed, over 800 injured as 7.3-magnitude earthquake rocks Taiwan

Taipei: At least nine people were killed and 800 others injured after a 7.3-magnitude quake jolted Taiwan on Wednesday morning, according to the local emergency operation centre.

Data from the centre showed that about 821 people were injured following the earthquake that hit the sea area near Hualien County, Taiwan, Xinhua news agency reported.

Due to the earthquake, a nearly 40-year-old building in Hualien has tilted severely. Multiple trapped residents have been rescued, but one woman remains missing.

According to an official from Taiwan transportation authorities, the railway linking Yilan County and Hualien has been severely disrupted, with multiple collapses and falling rocks reported.

Ongoing aftershocks in Hualien have hindered repair personnel from accessing affected areas, the official said.

The official stated that the current priority is to restore the Taiwan railway service, saying dual-track travel on the rail line section connecting Yilan and Hualien is expected to be restored by Thursday noon.

The earthquake was strongly felt in many parts of Taiwan. In Taipei, the earthquake caused damage to some school buildings. According to statistics from the Taipei education authorities, as of Wednesday noon, 201 schools and kindergartens reported that they had sustained damages, with six schools announcing class suspensions.

Taichung City, located near Hualien, also experienced severe shaking. The earthquake led to two incidents where falling rocks struck cars, resulting in 2 injuries. Additionally, the earthquake temporarily caused power outages for over 14,000 households in Taichung. Taiwan’s meteorological agency called the earthquake the strongest one to hit the island in 25 years since a deadly quake struck on Sept. 21, 1999. (IANS)

Also Read: Taiwan Hit By "Strongest Earthquake In 25 Years", 7 Dead And Over 700 Injured

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