01:02Mandatory credit: Presidential Office of Taiwan
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen made a visit to the Central Emergency Operations Centre in New Taipei City on Wednesday after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the island's east coast earlier in the day.
"I would like to ask you to continue to pay close attention to the situation in various places and start all kinds of emergency work at any time to protect the safety of the people," Tsai told the CEOC team.
"The central ministries will also keep in touch with the local governments and provide the necessary assistance, the national army will also provide support, and the central and local governments will cooperate with each other to minimise the impact caused by the disaster," she continued.
At time of publication, Nine people have been killed, 946 injured and 137 trapped under the rubble, according to the Taiwan Health Ministry. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre stated that 26 buildings had collapsed in Hualien County, the area worst affected by the quake.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5km. Tsunami warnings issued for Japan’s southern area of Okinawa and the Philippines were later lifted.
Wednesday's earthquake is reportedly the biggest to hit Taiwan since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor left at least 2,400 dead.
'Protect the safety of the people' - Taiwan's Pres Tsai visits Central Emergency Operation Centre following Hualien quake
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen made a visit to the Central Emergency Operations Centre in New Taipei City on Wednesday after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the island's east coast earlier in the day.
"I would like to ask you to continue to pay close attention to the situation in various places and start all kinds of emergency work at any time to protect the safety of the people," Tsai told the CEOC team.
"The central ministries will also keep in touch with the local governments and provide the necessary assistance, the national army will also provide support, and the central and local governments will cooperate with each other to minimise the impact caused by the disaster," she continued.
At time of publication, Nine people have been killed, 946 injured and 137 trapped under the rubble, according to the Taiwan Health Ministry. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre stated that 26 buildings had collapsed in Hualien County, the area worst affected by the quake.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5km. Tsunami warnings issued for Japan’s southern area of Okinawa and the Philippines were later lifted.
Wednesday's earthquake is reportedly the biggest to hit Taiwan since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor left at least 2,400 dead.
Mandatory credit: Presidential Office of Taiwan
Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen made a visit to the Central Emergency Operations Centre in New Taipei City on Wednesday after a 7.2 magnitude earthquake struck the island's east coast earlier in the day.
"I would like to ask you to continue to pay close attention to the situation in various places and start all kinds of emergency work at any time to protect the safety of the people," Tsai told the CEOC team.
"The central ministries will also keep in touch with the local governments and provide the necessary assistance, the national army will also provide support, and the central and local governments will cooperate with each other to minimise the impact caused by the disaster," she continued.
At time of publication, Nine people have been killed, 946 injured and 137 trapped under the rubble, according to the Taiwan Health Ministry. Taiwan's Central Emergency Operation Centre stated that 26 buildings had collapsed in Hualien County, the area worst affected by the quake.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) said the epicentre of the 7.2 magnitude earthquake was 25km southeast of Hualien County Hall at a depth of 15.5km. Tsunami warnings issued for Japan’s southern area of Okinawa and the Philippines were later lifted.
Wednesday's earthquake is reportedly the biggest to hit Taiwan since 1999 when a 7.6 magnitude tremor left at least 2,400 dead.