Tsunami warning in Taiwan after 6.8 magnitude earthquake

After a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Taiwan on Sunday, the US Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the earthquake’s epicentre.

Representative image of a Tsunami.

Representative image of a Tsunami.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit southeast Taiwan on Sunday
  • Following this, the US Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning
  • The organisation said that hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 km of the earthquake’s epicentre

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit the sparsely populated southeastern part of Taiwan on Sunday, according to the island’s weather bureau, sparking a tsunami warning. The US Tsunami Warning Centre issued a warning in Taiwan after the tremor.

The US Geological Survey measured the quake at a magnitude of 7.2 and at a depth of 10 km (6.21 miles).

Taiwan media said a low-rise building housing a convenience store collapsed, while at least one train carriage was de-railed at a station on the east coast.

It was unclear if there were any casualties.

The US Tsunami Warning Center said hazardous tsunami waves were possible within 300 km (190 miles) of the epicentre along the coast of Taiwan.

Japan’s weather agency issued a warning for tsunami waves of 1 metre for part of Okinawa prefecture following the earthquake.

— ENDS —