Aftershocks show no signs of abating in the city of Hualien in eastern Taiwan, which was hit by the 6.4-magnitude earthquake on February 6, the second such disaster in the area in several days. Soon after that a set of aftershocks was registered.
A search and rescue operation is under way in the city, where at least five buildings were partially or completely destroyed, including the Marshal Hotel.
More than 560 residential buildings were left without electricity due to the earthquake.
According to the fire department, over 1,300 people, including police officers, firefighters and medics, were engaged in the rescue operation after the quake.
Earlier, the United States Geological Survey reported that a 6.4 magnitude earthquake had hit the area 22 km (14 miles) east-northeast of the city of Hualien city in eastern Taiwan.
Big earthquake in Taiwan hualien tear down apartment building 2018/02/06: https://t.co/KGmTRWnVX3 via @YouTube
— Seaman job solution (@SolutionSeaman) 7 февраля 2018 г.
The quake occured at a depth of 1km (0.6 miles), according to the report.
RAW VIDEO: Resident surveys damage after deadly Taiwan earthquake pic.twitter.com/WZVWQwVP3J
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) 6 февраля 2018 г.
Twitter users have meanwhile shared their photos of the aftermath of the "huge and catastrophic" earthquake in Hualien, including the tilting Marshal Hotel.
Marshal #hotel in #hualien #taiwan before and after the #earthquake of tonight. Columns did not resist as we can see. #breaking pic.twitter.com/3IyM5klHNY
— JeanPhi (@jeanphi01) 6 февраля 2018 г.
2/6 23:50 It was a huge earthquake attacked a beautiful place in eastern Taiwan called Hualien. 5 buildings are damaged or collapsed. Some people are still in those buildings. Hope they will all be fine. Pray for Hualien… pic.twitter.com/lCKv0DHwiu
— Ice (@IceHelvetti) 6 февраля 2018 г.
6.4 #Earthquake strikes 14 km off northeast coast of #Taiwan. Initial reports say at least one building was damaged in #Hualien, a city of about 110,000. A cluster of less powerful earthquakes have shaken the region in recent days.#taiwanearthquake pic.twitter.com/UFkYbrrDxo
— pekiyi (@iyilerx) 6 февраля 2018 г.
It's kind of serious damage…..#EarthquakeTaiwan #Hualien#earthquake pic.twitter.com/ruPq4HqyTX
— KARAWAN ADVENTURE (@KarawanTaiwan) 6 февраля 2018 г.
Hope everyone is OK
— April Hung (@aprilwater7) 6 февраля 2018 г.
Taiwan Formosa live newshttps://t.co/vPUQvmChd0#Hualien #taiwanearthquake #earthquake pic.twitter.com/7YFKOAl8LK
Catastrophic!! powerful 6.4 #magnitude #earthquake has hit #Taiwan this afternoon. It has caused severe damage in the eastern city of Hualien but aftershocks have been felt inland. #earthquakes #taiwanearthquake pic.twitter.com/S893PXmsXg
— WEATHER/ METEO WORLD (@StormchaserUKEU) 6 февраля 2018 г.
RT IFRCAsiaPacific "Last night a 6.4M earthquake collapsed several buildings including one hotel and one hospital in Hualien City, #Taiwan. Preparing for disasters and crises in urban, densely populated areas is crucial to save lives. #WUF9 pic.twitter.com/tTl4HZvdEQ"
— Julian Harris (@JulianTHarris) 7 февраля 2018 г.
