CNN
—
A 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck southeastern Taiwan on Sunday, causing buildings to collapse and triggering a tsunami warning.
An earthquake struck at a depth of 10 kilometers in the city of Chishang in the southeastern part of Taiwan.
The Japan Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for Miyako Island in the East China Sea. But the company later removed the warning. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has also issued a tsunami warning for nearby coastlines.
Photos show collapsed buildings in southern Taiwan following a powerful earthquake. The USGS initially recorded it at 7.2, downgraded it to 6.9.
The island’s official Central News Agency (CNA) reported that four people trapped under the rubble of a building were rescued.
About 20 passengers were evacuated after the train derailed in the area, but no casualties were reported, according to the Taiwan Railways Administration.
Colas Yodaka, a spokesman for the former president, who is running for local elections in Hualien County, said there was also damage to a local school.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen activated the island’s Central Emergency Operations Center following the earthquake. Taiwan residents have been asked to be vigilant to avoid possible aftershocks, Tsai said in a recorded statement.
About 110 soldiers have been stationed in Hualien County on the island’s east coast to help with disaster relief efforts, said Sun Li-fang, a spokesman for Taiwan’s defense ministry.