Strong earthquakes shake Taiwan

Four strong earthquakes with magnitudes of 7.5, 6.6, 6.3 and 6.5 occurred off the east coast of Taiwan on the morning of Wednesday, April 3. Aftershocks continue. Authorities in Taiwan and Japan have warned about the threat of a tsunami, according to the website of Taiwan’s Central Meteorological Service (CWA).

The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of the city of Hualien. Destruction of houses was recorded in the city.

Residents of the island were sent a notice from the service warning of a larger tsunami that would affect the northern coast.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning of up to 3 meters for the islands of Miyakojima and Okinawa.

Japanese media reported that the tremors could cause waves up to 3 meters high in some areas of Okinawa prefecture, located about 1,000 miles south of Tokyo.

People were encouraged to stay away from the coast and evacuate to higher ground.

The first tsunami, 30 cm high, hit the coast of the remote island of Yonaguni, located 110 km from Taiwan. Japanese authorities have warned that higher waves may be behind it.

Meanwhile, in Taiwan, residents of damaged homes are voluntarily evacuating. Taipei Metro had to stop on all lines. A massive landslide occurred in the east of the island. No deaths or injuries have been reported.

We remind you that on March 22, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.5 occurred in Indonesia.

Earlier, on March 4, a strong earthquake of magnitude 5.3 occurred in Kazakhstan near the city of Almaty.