Powerful earthquake hits southeast Taiwan, collapsing building

TAIPEI:   The 6. 8 degree earthquake hit the sparsely populated southeastern part of Taiwan upon Sunday (Sep 18), the island’s weather bureau said, derailing train carriages plus causing a comfort store to fall.

The elements bureau said the epicentre was in Taitung county, and adopted a 6. 4 magnitude temblor on Saturday evening within the same area, which usually caused no casualties.

The US Geological Survey measured the particular quake at a magnitude 7. 2 with a depth of 10km.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency as well as the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued tsunami advisories shortly after the particular quake, but both later sent updated bulletins saying there is no longer a danger of high waves.

Taiwan media mentioned a low-rise building housing a convenience store collapsed plus rescue work acquired begun to free the four people inside, while an automobile is suspected of having been thrown away from a bridge that toppled.

The particular Taiwan Railways Administration said three carriages came off the rails at Dongli place in eastern Taiwan after part of the system canopy collapsed, as well as the roughly 20 people aboard had been evacuated and were uninjured.

The quake could be felt across Taiwan, the weather agency said. Buildings shook briefly in the capital Taipei.

The USGS said that the particular quake struck on 2 . 44pm about 50km north of the city of Taitung.  

Taiwan is situated near the junction associated with two tectonic china and is prone to earthquakes.

This is the 2nd earthquake to hit Taitung in as many times.

On Sunday, a 6. 5-magnitude tremble hit at just after nine. 30pm about 50km north of the seaside city of Taitung in 10km deep, the particular USGS said.

That quake could be felt across Taiwan, according to the island’s weather bureau. Buildings shook briefly in the funds Taipei.

Taiwan’s deadliest ever quake was a 7. 6-magnitude jolt in Sept 1999 that slain over 2, 400 people.