Magnitude 7.2 Earthquake Strikes Taipei, Causing 4 Deaths and Widespread Damage

A 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked Taiwan on Wednesday (April 3), the strongest tremor to hit the island in at least 25 years, killing four people, injuring dozens and sparking a tsunami warning for southern Japan and the Philippines that was later lifted.

Taiwan's government said four people had died in the mountainous, sparsely populated eastern county of Hualien where the epicentre was, with more than 50 injured.

Video from Taipei's government captured the moment of the quake from various landmarks in the city.

At least 26 buildings have collapsed, more than half in Hualien, with about 20 people trapped and rescue work on-going, said Taiwan's government.