An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck off the eastern coast of Taiwan. The earthquake was felt in Taipei, the country's capital, as well as in southern Japan, eastern China, and the Philippines.

The eastern city of Hualien and the surrounding hilly area have sustained the worst damage, with over 900 injuries and at least nine confirmed deaths. Numerous individuals are affected. It was the largest earthquake to strike Taiwan in twenty-five years. Tsunami warnings were later revoked by authorities in Taiwan, Japan, and the Philippines.

Relief operations are concentrated in Hualien, on the craggy and picturesque east coast, where highways were devastated by boulders and landslides, bridges and tunnels were demolished, and hundreds of buildings were left teetering after their bottom floors fell.

52 persons were reported missing and uncontactable in the National Fire Agency's most recent update, which was released. 1,038 people had been injured. Nine people were still dead, and they were all discovered in Hualien.

Three hikers were killed by a rock and a snowfall that fell during an early morning expedition in Taroko National Park. The trekkers were members of a group.

Rescuers were searching the park, which is renowned for its beautiful beauty, for anybody who could be stranded, according to the fire service. Helicopters and drones were being used in this search. About 38 employees who were heading to a motel in the park are still missing after some of the other employees they worked with were found to be safe.

Strongest quake since 1999

Because it is situated on a tectonic plate that lies between the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, Taiwan is prone to earthquakes and is well-prepared for them. Nonetheless, because they anticipated a considerably smaller earthquake, representatives of the seismic monitoring organization chose not to raise their regular alert.

About 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien, the US Geological Survey recorded a 7.4 magnitude earthquake, whereas Japan's meteorological office first reported a 7.5 magnitude earthquake. Buildings in Taipei, more than 100 kilometers far away, shook strongly in response to the widespread fear it produced. It also caused tsunami warnings that extended from southern Japan to the Philippines.