The earthquake in eastern Taiwan caused landslides, many people were trapped in tilted buildings .

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 1
The building located at the corner of Zhongshan and Chongqing Road in Hualien County collapsed after the earthquake. Rescuers are trying to get the trapped people out.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake occurred at 7:58 a.m. (6:58 a.m. Hanoi time ) with the epicenter located in the east of Taiwan island, off the coast of Hualien district, at a depth of 15.5 km. This is the strongest earthquake on the island in the past 25 years, after a 7.6 magnitude earthquake killed 2,400 people in 1999.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 2
The building at the intersection of Bac Tan and Khang Lac streets, Hualien district, leaned to one side and lost the first floor.

"The earthquake occurred close to the mainland and the epicenter was shallow. Tremors were felt throughout Taiwan and offshore islands ," Taiwan Seismology Center director Wu Chien-fu said.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 3
The earthquake caused a landslide in the Chongde area, Hualien district.

Taiwan recorded 4 deaths and more than 50 injuries. At least 26 buildings collapsed, more than half in Hualien, with about 20 people trapped.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 4
Falling rocks blocked the passage through the Sung Duc tunnel on the To Hoa expressway, affecting two-way traffic.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 5
The warehouse in New Taipei City collapsed, rescuers rescued three people.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 6
Broken bricks fall on a building in Taipei City, southeastern Taiwan.


Passengers panicked, clinging tightly to seats and pillars as the elevated train in Taipei City shook.

"Oh my god, the earthquake is so big," a male passenger's voice rang out.

"I'm scared to death ," one woman expressed.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 7
Broken bricks at the Chiang Kai-shek memorial in Zhongzheng District, Taipei City.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 8
Rescue force No. 6 of Tan Bac city said that a sinkhole appeared in the area of ​​An Thai street, Tan Diem district. Authorities evacuated 12 people, no one was injured.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 9
The facade of a noodle shop in Taipei City's night market was damaged.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 10
Books fall off shelves in the Wing Chun library in Taipei City.


Books, toys, and other items in an apartment in Taipei fell off shelves during the tremor.

Houses tilted and mountains collapsed during the Taiwan earthquake Picture 11
The house in Tan Bac was disturbed by shaking.

The island of Taiwan lies along the Pacific "Ring of Fire" , the seismic fault line surrounding the ocean where most of the world's earthquakes occur.