April 3, 2024: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Taiwan's east on Wednesday morning, leaving at least 7 people killed and over 700 persons injured and prompted tsunami warnings for the self-ruled island as well as parts of southern Japan. However, the Philippines also issued a tsunami warning and ordered the evacuation of coastal areas after the Taiwan quake.

Taking to Twitter, the National Center for Seismology informed, “Earthquake of Magnitude:7.4, Occurred on 03-04-2024, 05:28:09 IST, Lat: 23.98 & Long: 121.60, Depth: 10 Km ,Region: Taiwan”.

As per sources, at least 26 buildings have been collapsed. A five-storey building in Hualien heavily damaged, collapsing its first floor and leaving the rest leaning at a 45-degree angle. In the capital Taipei, tiles fell from older buildings and in some newer office complexes, while debris fell from some building sites.

Schools evacuated their students to sports fields, equipping them with yellow safety helmets. Some also covered themselves with textbooks to guard against falling objects as aftershocks continued.