At Least 4 Dead, 97 Injured after Taiwan Hit by Strongest Earthquake in 25 Years

At least four people have died and 97 reportedly injured following a seven-point-two magnitude earthquake that struck Taiwan’s east coast.

According to Taiwanese authorities, the earthquake, the strongest the country has seen in 25 years, struck at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday, seven kilometers southeast of Taiwan’s Hualien City, with the depth of the epicenter estimated at 20 kilometers. 

According to local media, at least 26 buildings collapsed, and people trapped inside have called to be rescued, raising concerns that the death toll could further rise.

An official at Seoul’s foreign ministry said no damage has been reported among over 50 South Koreans staying in the region.

The strong quake triggered a tsunami alert in Japan’s southeastern Okinawa Prefecture, as well as the Philippines, but the alerts were later lifted in both countries.