7.3-magnitude quake hits China's Taiwan

This photo taken on April 3, 2024 shows a damaged building in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of China's Taiwan at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, said a report issued by the CENC. (Xinhua/Qi Fei)

BEIJING/TAIPEI, April 3 (Xinhua) -- A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of China's Taiwan at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, said a report issued by the CENC.

Xinhua reporters in Taipei experienced intense tremors as buildings shook continuously for over a minute. Elevators in the reporters' apartment building were suspended from operation.

According to local media reports, strong tremors were felt in various parts of Taiwan, prompting Taipei's metro system to halt operations.

Taiwan's meteorological agency reported that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday, with a depth of 15.5 km. The epicenter was located 25 km south-southeast of the Hualien county government. The maximum intensity recorded was 6 magnitude in Hualien County.

The quake was followed by aftershocks, with CENC reporting two quakes measuring 6.0 and 5.9 magnitudes respectively within around 40 minutes, with epicenters monitored in nearby areas. ■

This photo taken on April 3, 2024 shows fallen tiles of a damaged building in Taipei, southeast China's Taiwan. A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of China's Taiwan at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time), according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, said a report issued by the CENC. (Xinhua/Qi Fei)