(NewsSpace.com) – Over the past few years, there have been a few devastating earthquakes. Last year, a 7.8-magnitude earthquake rocked Türkiye and Syria, killing tens of thousands. Recently, a 7.5-magnitude tremor hit Taiwan, sending the island nation into chaos.
The earthquake struck the entire island in the early morning hours of Wednesday, April 3. More than two dozen buildings collapsed, and at least 10 people have died. Over 1,000 others were injured, and at least 100 are missing. Rescue workers jumped into action, with intense efforts taking place around the island to recover those trapped in buildings.
Officials report that the island has sustained significant damage. In the epicenter of the quake zone, a building stands at a 45-degree angle. Workers tried to stabilize it while carefully trying to rescue anyone who might be inside. Locals spoke to BBC correspondent Rupert Wingfield-Hayes and noted they were scared that the building might collapse should an aftershock rock the nation. It’s a legitimate concern, as there were more than 75 aftershocks in only five hours.
There was some good news, though, as some businesses, like the Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., were able to resume production within hours of the strike. The epicenter of the quake was also on the least populated side of the island, which helped mitigate damages, including the number of deaths.
Taiwan has been a hotbed of seismic activity over the past 125 years. Since 1900, more than 80 earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.0 or higher have struck the island. In 1935, more than 6,000 people were killed. In 1999, the death toll exceeded 2,000 after a strong quake. That was when the country mandated stricter building codes in hopes of preventing mass casualties.
Adrienne Watson, spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said the US “stands ready to provide any necessary assistance” and is “monitoring its potential impact on Japan” as well.
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