70 Miners Trapped Underground: A Crisis in Taiwan

Introduction

In a harrowing turn of events, 70 miners are currently trapped in two coal mines in Taiwan, following a powerful earthquake measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale on April 3rd. This devastating event has claimed the lives of 9 individuals and left over 900 injured. Notably, this is the most significant earthquake to hit the island in the past 25 years.

Photo credit: Reuters

Trapped Miners and Missing Hotel Staff

Amidst the chaos, 50 hotel staff members have gone missing while en route to a park, as reported by the fire department. Fortunately, approximately 70 people trapped in tunnels near the city of Hua Lien have been successfully evacuated.

Infrastructure Impacts

Taipower, the electric company in Taiwan, has managed to restore power to most cities affected by the earthquake. Moreover, the two nuclear power plants on the island remain unaffected. The Taiwan High-Speed Rail, while reporting no damage or injuries on their trains, has announced service delays.

In addition, chip suppliers for companies like Apple and Nvidia, as well as semiconductor manufacturers in Taiwan, have successfully evacuated some of their factories, ensuring the smooth operation of their safety systems.

Earthquake Details

The earthquake, measuring 7.2 on the Richter scale, struck at approximately 7:59 a.m. on April 3rd, causing widespread tremors across Taiwan, resulting in collapsing and damaged structures. The epicenter of the earthquake was 25 kilometers southeast of Hua Lien County, at a depth of 15.5 kilometers.

At 8:11 a.m., another earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale occurred in the sea off Hua Lien County, with a depth of 10 kilometers. Roughly 20 minutes later, a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the same area.

According to Reuters, aftershocks are still being felt in Taipei, with over 25 aftershocks recorded to date. Media outlets in China have reported aftershocks in the provinces of Fujian and Shanghai.

Meanwhile, the Japan Meteorological Agency has confirmed small tsunami waves reaching the southern regions of Okinawa Prefecture.

These ongoing developments are keeping rescue teams and authorities on high alert as they work tirelessly to save the trapped miners and manage the aftermath of this devastating earthquake.

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