7.5-magnitude quake hits off east Taiwan coast; Japan warns of tsunamis

SINGAPORE (ICIS)–A 7.5-magnitude earthquake hit off the eastern coast of Taiwan and south of Japan on Wednesday, prompting tsunami warnings.

The quake struck at around 08:00 local time (00:00 GMT), with its epicentre 18 kilometres south of Taiwan’s Hualien City, according to Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Source: Japan Meteorological Agency

The quake was felt in the capital Taipei but there has been no reports of widespread damage or casualties.

Japan has issued an evacuation advisory for the coastal areas of the southern prefecture of Okinawa.

The temblor could cause tsunami waves as high as three meters immediately for remote Japanese islands near Taiwan, the JMA said.

Taiwan is a major petrochemical producer and exporter. Its petrochemical complexes are located on the western coast of the island. There have been no immediate reports of plant disruptions.