HUALIEN, Taiwan (AP) — Taiwan residents faced a terrifying ordeal on Wednesday as the island was struck by its most powerful earthquake in 25 years. The seismic event resulted in widespread destruction, with rocks tumbling onto roadways, homes collapsing, and individuals needing rescue from rubble.
The earthquake, which had a magnitude of 7.2 according to Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency and 7.4 according to the U.S. Geological Survey, claimed the lives of at least 12 people and left over 1,000 injured. The epicenter of the quake was located just off the coast of eastern Hualien County, an area known for its susceptibility to earthquakes and tsunamis.
