As a violent earthquake struck Taiwan amid tsunami warnings on the island, Japan and the Philippines, breathtaking scenes showed streets and bridges shaking.
Some video clips that went viral today, Wednesday, also showed buildings swaying and collapsing, and towers shaking as a result of the terrifying earthquake.
This came after the magnitude of the earthquake exceeded 7 degrees in a marine area located near Taiwan this morning, prompting the island authorities and both Japan and the Philippines to warn residents of coastal areas of the danger of a tsunami.
The most violent in 25 years
Especially since it is the most violent earthquake to hit the island in 25 years, according to what the director of the Taipei Earthquake Center, Wu Shin-fu, confirmed to reporters. Wu said, “The earthquake is close to the coast and shallow. It was felt by residents of Taiwan and neighboring islands… It is the strongest in 25 years, since the 1999 earthquake,” which reached a magnitude of 7.6 and killed 2,400 people.
At the same time, the Taiwanese authorities issued a warning about the risk of a tsunami in coastal areas.
She said in a warning message received by residents on their mobile phones, “The earthquake may lead to a tsunami that will affect Taiwan, so residents of coastal areas should be careful.”
Tsunami danger
In turn, Japan issued a warning of the danger of a tsunami on the islands located in the southwest of the country.
The Philippines also issued a warning of the risk of “high tsunami waves” and ordered residents of many coastal areas in the archipelago to evacuate.
The National Institute of Seismology said in a warning issued to 23 provinces, “We strongly advise residents of coastal areas in the following provinces to immediately evacuate to higher areas or move to inland areas.”
However, the provinces subject to the warning did not include the capital, Manila.
It is noteworthy that this earthquake occurred under the sea near Taiwan shortly before nine o’clock in the morning, Tokyo time (00:00 GMT), according to what the Japanese Seismic Agency announced, warning of the risk of a tsunami in the southern islands of the archipelago.
While estimates of its strength varied according to seismic monitoring agencies.
While the Japanese Meteorological Agency estimated its strength at 7.5 degrees, the US Geological Survey said it reached 7.4 degrees.
While the Taiwan Meteorological Agency’s estimate was slightly lower, reaching 7.2 degrees.
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