From breitbart.com
Taiwan was hit by its strongest earthquake in 25 years during rush hour on Wednesday, with nine dead, 50 missing, and over 800 injuries reported.
Taiwanese seismologists said the 1999 quake unleashed more destructive energy, and struck an area where more buildings were in danger of collapse, but Wednesday’s quake came close to its intensity. Both quakes were strong enough to not only knock people off their feet, but actually fling them into the air.
Lower intensity quake effects were felt in other major cities, including the capital of Taipei, where damage was reported to the building that houses the national legislature.
Several of the fatalities from the earthquake were hikers and park officials caught in the hills when the quake sent rocks crashing down around them. At least five deaths had been caused by falling rocks as of Wednesday morning, including a man found dead in his car after it was smashed by a rockfall.
A Hualien resident told the UK Guardian there was chaos in the streets when the quake struck as drivers slammed on their brakes or leapt off their bikes. People screamed as tremors “kept coming every few minutes, for many hours.”
A Hualien hostel owner mourned the destruction to the beautiful mountain parks that brought tourists to the area.
“We won’t know how long it will take for repairs to be made, or for guests to think about returning here. The road connecting Hualien with the north has been completely destroyed,” she said. “This is the most serious damage to infrastructure we have ever seen.”
The ten-story building seen tilted precariously on its side in many photos of post-quake Hualien is called the Uranus Building. It contains a mixture of residences and shops. Local reporters said many of the residents fled from the structure, but some are still unaccounted for, and rescue workers fear people could be trapped in the basement.
Condolences and offers of assistance poured in from across the Pacific and around the world, including messages from Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr., and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio.
This frame grab from AFPTV video taken on April 3, 2024 shows rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east. (STR/AFPTV/AFP via Getty Images)
Kishida said it was “utterly heartbreaking” to hear of a massive earthquake striking “our neighbor across the sea.” He recalled Taiwan’s support for the Japanese people after recent earthquakes and pledged that Japan “stands ready to provide necessary support” in Taiwan’s hour of need.
White House national security spokeswoman Adrienne Watson released a brief statementsaying the U.S. “stands ready to provide any necessary assistance,” and “all those affected are in our prayers.”
“The outpouring of global support is uplifting and deeply appreciated, as are the endeavors of our brave responders,” said Taiwan’s incoming President Willian Lai Ching-te.
“My thoughts are with all affected as we work to recover and rebuild,” he said, pledging that response efforts “are in full swing.”
Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council released a frosty statement on Wednesday morning rebuffing an offer of assistance from the People’s Republic of China.
“We noticed that the mainland’s Taiwan Affairs Office had expressed concern about the earthquake in waters off Hualien this morning. We greatly appreciate its concern, but there is no need for the mainland side to assist us in disaster relief,” the Taiwanese office said.
