KUALA LUMPUR, April 3 — A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 shocked Taiwan on Wednesday, triggering several countries to issue tsunami warnings and advise people to stay away from coastal areas.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that the earthquake struck off the coast of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan at 7.58am on Wednesday, according to the Central News Agency (CNA).
The epicentre of the earthquake was located in the Pacific Ocean, 25km south-southeast of Hualien County Hall, at a depth of 15.5km, as per the administration’s Seismology Center.
Kyodo news agency reports that the Japan Meteorological Agency recorded a small tsunami reaching the islands of Yonaguni, Ishigaki, and Miyako in Okinawa Prefecture.
The agency initially predicted a tsunami of up to 3 metres but later downgraded the warning, according to the reports.
Kyodo reports also stated that Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Tokyo would “swiftly offer support” to Taiwan if requests are made.
Meanwhile, the Philippines issued an evacuation advisory for northern Luzon’s coastal areas after the earthquake triggered a tsunami warning, according to Xinhua news agency.
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology warned of “high” tsunami waves between 8.33am and 10.33am local time, with the possibility of continuation for hours.
Coastal areas in the provinces of Batanes, Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, and Isabela were strongly advised to evacuate immediately to higher ground or farther inland.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department, in a statement, on Wednesday said the quake posed no tsunami threat to the country.
— Bernama
