7.2-mag quake strikes eastern Taiwan, Japan issues tsunami alert

TAIPEI – A 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck Taiwan’s southeastern coast today, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said, prompting Japan to issue a tsunami warning.

The quake hit at 2.44pm about 50km north of the city of Taitung at a depth of 10km, the USGS said.

A 6.6-magnitude quake hit the same region yesterday and there have been multiple tremors since with today’s the strongest by far.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency issued a tsunami advisory to remote islands near Taiwan.

Waves as high as 1m are expected to arrive around 4pm, it added.

Taiwan is regularly hit by earthquakes as the island lies near the junction of two tectonic plates. – AFP, September 18, 2022