Taiwan Earthquake: 6.5 Magnitude Quake Kills Two, Injures 100; Rescue Operation Continues

Notably, Tuesday was the second anniversary of a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck northeast of Pingtung City in southern Taiwan, killing 117 people.

Taipei, Feb 7: The strong earthquake of 6.5-magnitude which jolted waters near Taiwan’s Hualien County at 11.50 p.m. on Tuesday killed two persons and left over 100 others injured. According to the China Earthquake Networks Centre (CENC), the epicentre was monitored at 24.13 degrees north latitude and 121.71 degrees east longitude, with a depth of 11 km.

The quake caused the Marshal Hotel in Hualien to cave in. Three people were trapped in the building. The tremors were felt across Taiwan. Some buildings and roads in Hualien, in eastern Taiwan, were damaged. Rescue efforts are on to take out people trapped in the debris.

The highway from Suao to Hualien was temporarily closed.

Meanwhile, no tsunami warning has been issued as result of earthquake however, people were requested to move on to the safer place.

Taiwan is prone to earthquakes and has felt a few in recent days. Since February 4, about 100 sensible earthquakes have jolted the area. Taiwan’s earthquake experts said more quakes might happen in the coming weeks. On Sunday, the area was struck by magnitude 5.3 and 6.1 quakes however, no casualties were reported.

Notably, Tuesday was the second anniversary of a 6.4-magnitude earthquake that struck northeast of Pingtung City in southern Taiwan, killing 117 people.

The island’s worst tremor in recent decades was a 7.6-magnitude quake in September 1999 that killed around 2,400 people.