Tsunami warning issued by US authorities after powerful 6.8 magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

 

A 6.8-magnitude earthquake hit the sparsely populated southeastern part of Taiwan on Sunday, the island's meteorological office said, derailing train carriages and causing the collapse of a convenience store.

The meteorological office said the quake's epicenter was in Taitung County, followed by a 6.4-magnitude quake on Saturday evening in the same area.

which resulted in no casualties.

The US Geological Survey measured the earthquake's magnitude at 7.2 at a depth of 10 km.

Taiwan media said a low-rise building housing a convenience store collapsed in Yuli, and rescue work began liberating four people inside, while a car was suspected of being thrown off an overturned bridge.

The Taiwan Railways Administration said three coaches derailed at Dongli Station in eastern Taiwan after part of the platform's canopy collapsed, and about 20 passengers were evacuated and unharmed.

The US Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued a warning for Taiwan after the earthquake, but later canceled the warning.

The Japan Meteorological Agency issued a one-meter tsunami warning for part of Okinawa Prefecture following the earthquake.

The Bureau of Meteorology said the quake could be felt across Taiwan. Buildings shook briefly in the capital, Taipei.

Science parks in the southern cities of Tainan and Kaohsiung, home to major semiconductor factories,

He said there was no impact on operations.

Taiwan lies near the intersection of two tectonic plates and is prone to earthquakes.

More than 100 people were killed in the 2016 southern Taiwan earthquake, while a 7.3-magnitude earthquake killed more than 2,000 people in 1999.