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| Footage from national broadcaster TVBS shows the damage in Hualien county |
The Hong Kong Observatory has warned of a minor tsunami in the South China Sea in the aftermath of a 7.4 magnitude earthquake that shook Taiwan’s southeast coast early this morning, Wednesday.
According to the
Observatory, the tsunami could hit Hong Kong between noon and 2pm today. There
has been no update on the forecast so far.
In the
Philippines and Japan, tsunami warnings were also issued. Philippine
authorities also ordered the evacuation of residents in some coastal towns, but
later recalled the order.
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| PINDUTIN PARA DETALYE |
Earlier, a
number of Hong Kong residents reported feeling tremors after the devastating
quake that rocked Taiwan at 7:58aam, with the county of Hualien, a sparsely
populated area east of the capital, as
the epicenter.
Videos from the
scene showed several toppled buildings and many people camped out in the
streets, fearing aftershocks. (HK's SCMP carried this video taken at the scene: https://youtu.be/erQlxtGYvjo)
Initial reports
said at least five people were killed in the tremor, the strongest to hit Taiwan
in 25 years. More than 50 people have
been injured, with some trapped in buildings and tunnels around the city,
according to the National Fire Agency.
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| TAWAG NA! |
In the capital,
Taipei, footage from local broadcaster
TVBS showed many collapsed residential buildings and people being evacuated
from their homes and schools. Many vehicles were smashed and stores left in
disarray.
Power cuts and
internet outages have been reported across the island.
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| PINDUTIN DITO |
Taipei’s
Seismology Centre said the earthquake was close to land and shallow so it was
felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands.
In September
1999, a 7.6-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan, killing 2,400 people and
destroying 5,000 buildings.
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| PADALA NA! |
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| CALL US! |
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