Tokyo, Japan – The Japan Meteorological Agency changed its tsunami warning for the southern islands of Japan to a “tsunami advisory” on Wednesday after a strong earthquake in eastern Taiwan.
The JMA stated that waves up to one metre (3.3 feet) could be observed in the area following the earthquake. It had previously cautioned about a possible maximum tsunami height of three metres. A JMA official advised, “Please refrain from going near or entering the sea until the advisory is lifted.”
Meanwhile, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center declared on Wednesday that the tsunami risk from a major earthquake in Taiwan “has now passed”.
The earthquake struck shortly before 8:00 am local time (0000 GMT) and had a magnitude of 7.4 according to the US Geological Survey, prompting tsunami alerts in Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center mentioned on Wednesday that the tsunami menace from a major earthquake in Taiwan “has now passed”.
The quake occurred just before 8:00 am local time (0000 GMT) and had a magnitude of 7.4 as per the US Geological Survey, setting off tsunami alerts in Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines.
Earlier : Strong earthquake in Taiwan leads to tsunami alerts in the area
A fire department official informed AFP that two buildings in Taiwan’s eastern city of Hualien collapsed after a powerful earthquake on Wednesday.
“Two buildings have collapsed and some individuals are believed to be trapped. We do not have further information at this time,” stated the official.
