Fifty people traveling in minibuses in national park are missing after the largest earthquake to rock Taiwan in 25 years struck on Wednesday morning. Nine people are dead, while more than 900 others are injured. The Biden administration said that the U.S. was ready to provide assistance as necessary.
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake’s epicenter was located just offshore of the country of Hualien, where buildings teetered and collapsed. Demolition work was already beginning on four buildings, said Hsu Chen-Wei, the mayor of Hualien city.
The strong tremors briefly closed the subway system in Taipei, where more than 50 aftershocks have been recorded, while 80 people are thought to be trapped in a mining area. The earthquake also caused landslides on Taiwan’s mountains.
“At present the most important thing, the top priority, is to rescue people,” said President-elect Lai Ching-te.
