The recent devastating earthquake that struck Taiwan on Wednesday morning has been described as the most powerful tremor to hit the island in decades, according to officials.
Taiwan is situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire," a region characterized by a high degree of seismic activity.
With a population of 23 million, the island frequently experiences earthquakes and has implemented drills and public alerts to prepare for such occurrences.
Although Taiwan's monitoring agency recorded the quake as a 7.2 magnitude event, the U.S. Geological Survey reported it as a 7.4 magnitude quake.
The epicenter was located approximately 15 miles south-southeast of Hualien, a city with a population of around 100,000. The quake, which had a focal depth of more than 21 miles, triggered numerous aftershocks throughout the day, as per Taiwanese officials.
This earthquake represents the most powerful seismic event to strike Taiwan since the "921 quake" of September 21, 1999, which resulted in more than 2,400 fatalities, over 11,300 injuries, and extensive damage to tens of thousands of buildings, according to previous reports from Newsweek.
As of Wednesday night, at least nine individuals have been reported dead as a result of the earthquake, according to Taiwan's national fire agency. Of these, four perished due to falling rocks while trapped inside Taroko National Park, as reported by the state Central News Agency. One fatality occurred in a residential building that sustained damage during the quake, the news agency stated.
Additionally, more than 1,000 individuals have been reported injured by the fire agency. Rescue teams continue to search through Hualien for individuals who may be trapped beneath the rubble, utilizing excavators to stabilize damaged structures.
Approximately 70 workers stranded at two rock quarries were reported safe, according to the AP, citing Taiwan's fire agency.
However, the roads leading to the workers have been damaged by landslides and falling rocks. Six workers are set to be airlifted on Thursday, according to the agency, which did not provide details regarding the rescue of the remaining workers.
Hualien Mayor Hsu Chen-wei indicated that 48 residential buildings in the city have sustained damage, according to the AP.
The mayor also noted that efforts were underway to restore water and electricity services.
Videos captured in Hualien and shared on social media show buildings leaning at precarious angles. Firefighters were dispatched to one partially collapsed nine-story structure to rescue individuals trapped on the third and seventh floors as well as in the basement, local media reported.