World

Strong 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, building collapses

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the sparsely populated southeastern part of Taiwan on Sunday, the island’s weather bureau said, derailing train carriages, causing a convenience store to collapse and trapping hundreds on mountain roads.

The weather bureau said the epicenter was in Taitung county and followed a 6.4 magnitude temblor on Saturday evening in the same area, which caused no casualties.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured Sunday’s quake at a magnitude 7.2 and at a depth of 10 km (six miles).

Taiwan’s fire department said all four people were rescued from a building housing a convenience store that collapsed in Yuli, while three people whose vehicle fell off a damaged bridge were rescued and taken to hospital.

The Taiwan Railways Administration said six carriages came off the rails at Dongli station in eastern Taiwan after part of the platform canopy collapsed, but the fire department said there were no injuries.

More than 600 people are trapped on the scenic Chike and Liushishi mountain areas by blocked roads, though there were no injuries and rescuers were working to reopen the roads, the department said.

The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Taiwan after the tremor but later lifted the alert. Japan’s weather agency lifted a tsunami warning for part of Okinawa prefecture.

The quake could be felt across Taiwan, the weather bureau said. Buildings shook briefly in the capital Taipei, and aftershocks have continued to jolt the island.

Science parks in the southern cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung, home to major semiconductor factories, said there was no impact on operations.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., the world’s largest contract chipmaker, said there was “no known significant impact for now.”

Taiwan lies near the junction of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

More than 100 people were killed in a quake in southern Taiwan in 2016, while a 7.3 magnitude quake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.

Karter Wanda

"Karter Wanda is an online news blogger with a passion for uncovering and sharing stories that matter. With a strong knowledge of online research and news headlines, he has covered a wide range of topics, from breaking news and politics to culture and lifestyle. As an online news blogger, Karter Wanda brings a unique perspective to his writing, combining rigorous reporting with a conversational and engaging style. He is committed to providing accurate and reliable information to his readers and is always on the lookout for emerging trends and stories that are of interest to the online community. In addition to his work as a blogger, Karter Wanda is a regular contributor to globenewsbulletin.com, where he has written in-depth features and analysis on various topics. He is also a sought-after speaker and commentator on issues related to politics."

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