DAILYMAIL.com
A damaging 7.7-magnitude earthquake has hit Taiwan, sparking tsunami fears across the region, triggering landslides and downing buildings.
The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) has issued a tsunami alert for the southern islands of the Far East country following the tremor, which happened shortly before 9am Japanese local time (8pm New York, 1am UK).
Multiple videos were shared of damage to Hualien, a city on the east coast of Taiwan close to the epicentre of the quake – with buildings downed and landslides throwing up huge clumps of dirt and dust.
Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration agency said the quake could be felt across the island – measuring 7.7 at the epicentre and around four at its weakest on the furthest reaches away from the centre of the tectonic jolt.
It may be the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan in 25 years, after a deadly 7.7-magnitude quake in 1999 killed around 2,400 people. It is not immediately known whether there are any casualties in the latest quake.
However, neighbouring countries issued tsunami alerts and advised residents to be prepared to evacuate, or to retreat to safe zones.