Taiwan: Rescue operations continue after Magnitude-7.4 earthquake strikes Hualien County at 07:58 April 3 /update 4

Authorities have confirmed a severe magnitude-7.4 earthquake that occurred in Hualien county at around 07:58 April 3 has killed at least nine people and injured over 882 others. At least 77 people are feared trapped in tunnels and other structures. The earthquake has also damaged over 125 buildings; 26 buildings have collapsed, with more than half of them in Hualien County.

Numerous roads and highways are closed due to damage and landslide, including parts of the Hualien-Taitung Coastal Highway, most of the new and old Suhua Highway, Suao to Chongde on Provincial Highway 9, Suao to Daqingshui on Provincial Highway 9D, and Dayuling to Taroko on the Central Cross-Island Highway. Train systems across Taiwan were temporarily suspended to check for damage. Most services on the main Taipei Metro have resumed, apart from sections of the circular line in the Taipei suburbs, due to damage between Zhongyuan and Jingan stations. Train services between Jiaoxi in Yilan County and Fenglin in Hualien County remain suspended.

Offices and schools across Hualien County and six schools in Taipei have been suspended. A total of 354,534 households lost power following the earthquake; most power has since been restored. As of the afternoon of April 3, 11,566 households remain without power. Reports indicate some internet outages in parts of Taiwan. It could take several hours until authorities can conduct comprehensive damage assessments, especially in remote areas.

Authorities in Japan issued precautionary evacuations for coastal and low-lying areas of Okinawa Prefecture; residents have since been allowed to return home. Flight operations across Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, including Naha Airport (OKA), resumed the afternoon of April 3 after being temporarily suspended as a precaution due to the tsunami warning. The Okinawa Expressway is closed between Kyoda and Naha interchanges. Ferries in Okinawa Prefecture are suspended, including routes connecting the Ishigaki, Kerama, Kume, and Daito islands.

The epicenter was 18 km (11 miles) south-southwest of Hualien City, Taiwan. The tremor occurred at a depth of about 35 km (22 miles). Authorities have rescinded the tsunami warning as the tsunami threat has passed; tsunami waves of 1 meter (3.3 feet) were observed in Hualien, 0.4 meters (1.5 feet) in Chengong, and 0.2 meters (0.7 feet) in Longdong. Tsunami waves of 30 cm (12 inches) were observed on Yonaguni Island and 16 cm (6 inches) on Ishigaki Island.

A magnitude-6.5 aftershock occurred at 08:11 April 3, and at least nine other aftershocks of above magnitude-5.0 have occurred. Numerous other weaker aftershocks have also occurred. Further strong aftershocks are likely over the coming days and could cause additional damage. Cellular networks may be overwhelmed following the earthquake.