7.4-magnitude quake strikes near Taiwan, prompting tsunami warning

By Ahmet Faruk Mercan

TOKYO (AA) - A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan’s east coast early Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings.

The US Geological Survey (USGS), announced that the epicenter of the quake was 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of the city of Hualien.

Some buildings in the city reportedly collapsed due to the earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 34.8 kilometers (21 miles).

Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) issued a tsunami warning for the northern regions of the island after the quake.

The Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) also issued a tsunami warning that could reach a height of 3 meters (9.8 feet) for Okinawa and Miyakojima islands in the southwest of the country.