Four people have died and dozens more have been injured in the strongest earthquake to strike Taiwan in 25 years. The earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.2 and a depth of 15.5 kilometers, struck off the coast of Heping Township, Hualien County, at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday.
According to Central Emergency Operation Center statistics, as of 12:00 p.m. on Wednesday, the earthquake has resulted in four deaths and 57 injuries. Hualien suffered the most severe damage, with three deaths reported on the Dekalun Trail in Hualien’s Taroko National Park and one death reported at the Qingshui Tunnel on Provincial Highway No. 9.
Head of the Central Weather Administration’s Seismological Center Wu Chien-fu (吳健富), says Wednesday's earthquake is the largest earthquake since the 921 earthquake that occurred in 1999. The 921 earthquake killed 2,415 people and injured more than 11,000.
Wu says that while the initial seismic report for Wednesday's earthquake was 7.2, it may be revised upwards after further processing, possibly approaching 7.3 or larger. Wu adds that aftershocks between magnitude 6.5 and 7.0 may occur in the next three to four days, reminding the public to remain vigilant.
