China News Service, Hualien, April 3 (Reporter Yang Chengchen) A strong earthquake occurred in the waters of Hualien County, Taiwan on the morning of the 3rd. The earthquake was felt throughout Taiwan, and aftershocks continued. As of 19:00 that day, 9 people had been killed, 946 injured and 137 trapped.
Amid the disasters in various counties and cities across Taiwan, the severely tilted Uranus Building in Hualien has received widespread attention. China News Agency reporters learned at the scene that a total of 25 people were trapped inside the building when the earthquake occurred, of which 24 were rescued and one died. Hualien County Magistrate Xu Zhenwei told reporters that no tourists from mainland China were found among the local injured.
On April 3, a strong earthquake occurred in the waters of Hualien County, Taiwan. The Uranus Building on Xuanyuan Road in downtown Hualien tilted severely due to the earthquake. The on-site search and rescue team was rescuing people trapped in the building. Photo by China News Service reporter Yang Chengchen
According to the Taiwan Fire Department, there have been 125 cases of building damage in Taiwan due to the earthquake, of which 28 buildings have collapsed, including 17 in Hualien County, 1 in Yilan County, 2 in Keelung City, and 8 in New Taipei City.
According to the economic affairs department of the Taiwan authorities, due to the earthquake, more than 360,000 households in Taiwan were without power and more than 120,000 households were without water that day. As of press time, more than 90% of households without power have had their power restored, and 15,000 households are still without water.
The Hualien County Government announced on the evening of the 3rd that in order to assist in disaster relief and reconstruction, a special disaster relief donation account will be opened from now on to accept donations from the public for Hualien earthquake relief. A number of civil society organizations carry out emergency relief, provide shelter and care services for disaster victims, and assist in reconstruction and recovery.
On April 3, a strong earthquake occurred off the coast of Hualien County, Taiwan. Taiwan Tzu Chi Foundation set up a service center in Hualien that day to provide supplies and care to those affected by the disaster. (Photo courtesy of Taiwan Tzu Chi Foundation)
In addition, the section from Jiaoxi, Yilan to Fenglin, Hualien was damaged in many places, causing Taiwan Railway trains to be suspended. The Taiwan Railway Corporation issued a press release in the evening saying that it expected to resume double-line operation before noon on the 4th. In addition, due to the interruption of the Su-Hua Highway, 10 more regional express trains from Yilan to Hualien will be opened on the 4th to help transport passengers.
Disasters were also reported in many schools. According to preliminary statistics from the education affairs department of the Taiwan authorities, about 380 schools were affected by the disaster, with losses exceeding NT$250 million, the highest in recent years. Among them, Hualien Girls' High School suffered serious losses.
It is reported that various counties and cities have counted a total of 22 cultural assets damaged, including Hualien Ji'an Qingxiu Yuan, Taitung Wan'an Brick Kiln Factory, etc. The cultural affairs department of the Taiwan authorities stated that it has invited experts and scholars to inspect the site and will assist in various restoration efforts.
The Meteorological Department of the Taiwan authorities analyzed that the cause of this earthquake was that the Philippine Sea Plate subducted northward under the Eurasian Plate. The squeeze of the plate caused the rapid accumulation of energy, so aftershocks were frequent. (over)