Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in nearly 25 years damages buildings at least seven people die UPDATED

Taiwan was struck by its strongest earthquake in 25 years on April 3 when a 7.4 magnitude tremor struck the island's eastern coast, collapsing buildings, killing people and triggering tsunami warnings across the region that were later lifted.

The tsunami warnings also prompted airlines and airports to suspend flights, which were later resumed, CNN reports.

Seven people have been killed in Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the island's eastern coast on April 3 morning.

Some 736 people have been injured.

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Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush hour on April 3, damaging buildings and causing the deaths of four people.

Taiwan’s national fire agency said four people died in Hualien County. Hualien was the epicenter of the quake that struck around 8:00 (GMT+8). The local United Daily News reported three hikers died in rockslides in Taroko National Park near the offshore epicentre, according to CNBC.

A five-story building in Hualien appeared heavily damaged, collapsing its first floor and leaving the rest leaning at a 45-degree angle. In the capital Taipei, tiles fell from older buildings and in some newer office complexes, while debris fell from some building sites. Schools evacuated their students to sports fields, equipping them with yellow safety helmets. Some also covered themselves with textbooks to guard against falling objects as aftershocks continued.

Train service was suspended across the island of 23 million people, as was subway service in Taipei, where a newly constructed above-ground line partially separated. The national legislature, a converted school built before World War II, also had damage to walls and ceilings.

Traffic along the east coast was at a virtual standstill, with landslides and falling debris hitting tunnels and highways in the mountainous region. Those caused damage to vehicles, though it wasn’t clear if anyone was hurt.

Despite the quake striking at the height of the morning rush hour just before 8 a.m., the initial panic faded quickly on the island, which is regularly rocked by temblors and prepares for them with drills at schools and notices issued via public media and mobile phone.

Authorities said they had only expected a relatively mild quake of magnitude 4 and accordingly did not send out alerts.

Still, the earthquake was strong enough to scare people who are used to such shaking.