TAIWAN: A powerful earthquake rattled Taiwan's east coast, resulting in one fatality and more than 50 injuries, as reported by Taiwan's fire department. The quake, measuring 7.2 magnitude, struck on Wednesday, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
Following the seismic activity, a tsunami warning initially issued for Miyakojima and Okinawa islands in Japan has been downgraded to an advisory by Japan's Meteorological Agency, reducing the immediate threat posed by the earthquake.
In response to the potential tsunami threat, the Philippines issued warnings to coastal areas, urging residents to evacuate to higher ground to avoid the anticipated high waves along the Pacific Ocean coastline. Owners of boats were instructed to secure their vessels and stay offshore until further notice to prevent damage.
The earthquake's impact reverberated across the region, leading to the diversion of all flights to Japan's Naha Airport on Okinawa island. Airport officials took precautionary measures, evacuating staff to higher floors to minimize risk.
As a result of tsunami warnings, flights from Japan's Okinawa and Kagoshima regions have been suspended, with aircraft rerouted away from affected areas. The quake-triggered tremors also prompted alerts in southern Japan, raising concerns about potential tsunami threats.
The quake's epicenter was located in the Pacific Ocean, 25.0 kilometers south-southeast of Hualien County Hall, with a depth of 15.5 km, according to the Seismology Center. Intensity levels of 5+ were reported in Yilan and Miaoli counties, while regions in northern and central Taiwan experienced lower intensity levels.
The earthquake, estimated at a magnitude of 7.5, struck shortly before 9 a.m., according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Anticipated tsunami arrival times were projected for specific regions, indicating potential risks and prompting swift response measures to ensure public safety.
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