Taiwan Earthquake: Here Is The Helpline Number, E-Mail ID For Indian Nationals

The India Taipei Association (ITA) has released an emergency helpline for the Indian nationals in Taipei after the island was hit by the strongest earthquake in a quarter century on Wednesday.

A statement from the ITA said, "In view of the earthquake striking off the coast of eastern Taiwan during the early hours of Wednesday, 03 April 2024, the following emergency helpline has been setup by India Taipei Association for assistance, guidance, or clarification to all Indian nationals living in Taiwan:

Mobile: 0905247906
Email: [email protected]

It has requested all Indian nationals to follow advisories issued by the local authorities. "ITA also requests Indian nationals in Taiwan to share this advisory through their local networks for wider circulation," the statement added.

As per a report in Reuters, four persons have been killed while dozens of people have been injured in the incident that damaged dozens of buildings and prompted tsunami warnings that extended to Japan and the Philippines before being lifted.

The magnitude-7.4 earthquake that occurred on Wednesday hit minutes before 8:00 am local time (0000 GMT). The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported the epicentre to be 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Taiwan's Hualien City, with a depth of 34.8 kilometres.

"The earthquake is close to land and it's shallow. It's felt all over Taiwan and offshore islands," said Wu Chien-fu, director of Taipei's Central Weather Administration's Seismology Center.

Taiwan government confirmed four fatalities in the mountainous and thinly populated eastern county of Hualien, where the earthquake's epicentre was located.

Reportedly, at least 26 buildings collapsed, with more than half of them in Hualien and over 60 people have been injured.

Rescue efforts are underway as approximately 20 individuals remain trapped. Local TV broadcasts showed dramatic scenes of multi-story structures leaning after the tremors ceased.

Landslides have obstructed roads to Hualien, a coastal city surrounded by mountains and home to around 100,000 residents.