7.4 earthquake in Taiwan. The worst earthquake in 25 years on the island generates tsunami warnings in neighboring countries – Observer

An earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale in Taiwan, the largest in the last 25 years on that island, caused several tsunami warnings to be issued both in Taiwan and in neighboring countries, such as Japan.

According to the US Geological Survey, the epicenter of the earthquake was located about 18 km south of the city of Hualien, in Taiwan, at a depth of 34.8 km. The earthquake occurred around 9:00 am (1:00 am in Lisbon) and was also felt in some Japanese and Chinese cities, such as in the province of Fujian, in southeastern China.

Japan’s meteorological agency issued a tsunami warning for the islands of Okinawa, Miyakojima and Yaeyama, according to Japanese public television NHK.

The agency appealed to inhabitants living along the coast to seek refuge in higher places “as quickly as possible”, due to the possibility of waves up to three meters high forming around 10 am (2 am in Lisbon), in large areas. of the southwest coast of Japan.

The Philippines also issued a tsunami warning.

“The earthquake happened close to the earth and at a shallow depth. It was felt throughout Taiwan and the coastal islands. It is the strongest in 25 years,” said Wu Chien Fu, director of the Taiwan Seismology Center.

The last major earthquake on the island occurred in September 1999. It reached 7.6 and hit Taiwan, and is estimated to have killed around 2,400 people.