The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs) cancelled a tsunami warning that had been issued after a major earthquake struck Taiwan on Wednesday, April 3, 2024.
“Based on available data of our sea level monitoring stations facing the epicentral area, no significant sea level disturbances have been recorded since 07:58 am (2358 GMT Tuesday) up until this cancellation,” the agency said in an advisory.
Phivolcs earlier issued a warning for residents in coastal areas of several provinces, urging them to evacuate to higher ground.
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The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said Wednesday that the tsunami threat from a major earthquake in Taiwan “has now passed”, with authorities in Taipei saying no injuries or deaths had been reported so far.
The quake hit just before 8:00 am local time (0000 GMT) and had a magnitude of 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey, triggering tsunami warnings in Taiwan, southern Japan and the Philippines.
By 10:03 am Taiwan time, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said “the tsunami threat has now largely passed”, but that people near coastal areas should stay alert.
An emergency message sent out by authorities around 10:14 am Taiwan time said “the tsunami triggered by the earthquake has gradually reached the coast of Taiwan”.
“People in coastal areas are reminded to be vigilant and take strict precautions and pay attention to the dangers caused by sudden surges in waves.”
A fire department official in Hualien county — near the epicentre of the earthquake — told AFP that “two buildings had collapsed and some people are believed to be trapped”.
He provided no additional information.
In a televised national briefing, Taiwan’s National Fire Agency said 26 buildings were reported “to tilt or collapse”, though it gave no details on the location of the structures.
It also said no deaths or injuries have been reported so far.
The island of Taiwan is prone to earthquakes, with its residents accustomed to frequent tremors.