Taiwan's strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years damages buildings, leaving 4 dead

In this picture from a TVBS video, locals in Hualien, eastern Taiwan, on Wednesday, April 3, 2024, save a toddler from a partially collapsed building. Early on Wednesday, a strong earthquake shook the whole island of Taiwan, bringing down buildings in a southern city and causing a tsunami to crash upon islands in southern Japan. (AP via TVBS)

Taiwan's Taipei (AP) — Wednesday during the early morning rush hour, Taiwan experienced its largest earthquake in 25 years, which caused damage to buildings and roadways as well as the deaths of four individuals.

Four people perished in Hualien County and at least 57 were injured in the earthquake that occurred just before eight in the morning, according to Taiwan's national fire service. Three trekkers lost their lives in rockslides at Taroko National Park close to the offshore epicenter, according to the local United Daily News.

A five-story building in Hualien appeared heavily damaged, collapsing its first floor and leaving the rest leaning at a 45-degree angle. In the capital Taipei, tiles fell from older buildings and in some newer office complexes, while debris fell from some building sites. Schools evacuated their students to sports fields, equipping them with yellow safety helmets. Some also covered themselves with textbooks to guard against falling objects as aftershocks continued.