(Dan Tri) – Taiwan continues to rescue trapped people and overcome the consequences of the earthquake that left at least 9 people dead and about 1,000 injured.
The building tilted in Hualien, Taiwan after the earthquake on April 3 (Photo: AFP).
On April 3, Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in at least 25 years killed at least 9 people and injured more than 1,000.
The earthquake occurred at a depth of 15.5km just as people were going to work and school, triggering a tsunami warning in southern Japan and the Philippines.
Published videos show rescuers using ladders to rescue people trapped outside windows.
Taiwan’s fire department said it evacuated about 70 people trapped in a tunnel near Hualien city, including two Germans.
However, they lost contact with 50 workers on four buses traveling to a hotel in Taroko Gorge and rescuers are searching.
Rescuers search for survivors after the earthquake in Taiwan (Photo: AFP).
Speaking outside one of the collapsed buildings in Hualien, Taiwanese leader-elect Lai Qingde said: `Right now, the most important thing is to save people.`
Lai, who will take office in May, told reporters that the railway line to Hualien is expected to reopen on April 4.
The White House said the US is ready to provide all necessary assistance to Taiwan after the earthquake.
Taiwan’s air force confirmed that six F-16 fighter jets were slightly damaged at a large base where fighter jets often fly, but the planes are expected to return to service soon.
Mr. Wu Chien-fu, director of the Seismology Center of the Taipei Weather Administration, warned that the government could not rule out the possibility that `there will be strong earthquakes of 6.5 to 7 magnitude in the next 3 days.`
According to the Japan Weather Agency, several small tsunamis reached southern areas of Okinawa Prefecture and later downgraded the previous tsunami warning level to an advisory level.
Taiwan also issued a tsunami warning, but reported no damage from such waves.
Aftershocks could still be felt in Taipei, with more than 50 aftershocks recorded, weather officials said.
Survivors are brought out of the rubble after the earthquake in Taiwan (Photo: AFP).
Chinese state media reported the quake was felt in China’s southeastern Fujian province, while a Reuters witness said the quake was also felt in the commercial hub of Shanghai.
Taiwan’s electricity operator Taipower said power had almost been restored, and announced that the island’s two nuclear power plants were not affected by the earthquake.
Taiwan’s high-speed rail operator said no damage or injuries were reported on the trains, but added that trains would be delayed while they carried out inspections.
Taipei residents have received warnings from authorities to check for gas leaks.
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