Taiwan experienced its strongest earthquake in the last 25 years, with a powerful magnitude 7.4 quake striking the east coast on Wednesday at 7:58 am local time. The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning and caused significant damage, with at least seven people reported dead and approximately 730 injured. Dozens of buildings have been damaged, some collapsing entirely, prompting a massive rescue operation.

Wu Chien-fu, director of the Seismology Center of the Central Weather Administration in Taipei, stated that the earthquake was shallow and close to the ground, resulting in widespread tremors felt throughout Taiwan and coastal islands. The quake's impact was also felt in neighboring countries, including China, the Philippines, and Japan.

The epicenter of the earthquake was located 18 km south of Hualien, Taiwan, with the origin at a depth of 15.5 km. A series of aftershocks followed, lasting about an hour after the initial quake.

Read More: Magnitude 7.4 Earthquake Rocks Taiwan

Despite Taiwan's susceptibility to earthquakes due to its location near the convergence of tectonic plates, strict building regulations and disaster preparedness efforts helped mitigate the extent of the damage. However, the quake claimed the lives of three individuals crushed by rocks dislodged from surrounding mountains, along with a truck driver killed in a landslide.

Videos circulating on social media depict collapsed high-rise buildings and scenes of panicked residents fleeing to safety. Kelvin Hwang, a hotel guest in Taipei, described the intense vibrations of the earthquake, prompting him to seek shelter despite the lack of clothing and suitable refuge.

The earthquake disrupted metro rail services in Taipei briefly, although they resumed within an hour. Municipalities issued gas leak alerts, urging residents to remain vigilant.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, the world's largest chip maker, temporarily halted production at some plants due to the earthquake. Despite the widespread impact, cities further away from Hualien experienced less intense tremors due to the quake's shallow epicenter.

As Taiwan grapples with the aftermath of this powerful earthquake, the nation's resilience and preparedness efforts have been instrumental in mitigating the disaster's impact on lives and infrastructure.