No tsunami danger to B.C. after earthquake in Taiwan, officials say

UPDATED STORY:

Two tourists from Canada have been rescued from a national park in Taiwan following the powerful earthquake that hit the island this week. Taiwan's representative to Canada says the rescued Canadians don't have serious injuries.

 But the diplomat says one Canadian is still missing and hopes that rescue crews can find them soon.

This week, a B-C resident caught up in the earthquake described shaking so violent that she needed to crouch down in her 10th-floor apartment to avoid falling over. 

EARLIER STORY:

There appears to be no tsunami threat to the Pacific coastal areas of North America following a strong earthquake in Taiwan.

The U.S. National Tsunami Warning Center says no tsunami is expected in B.C., Alaska, California, Oregon or Washington state.

Buildings were damaged in Taiwan after a quake hit during the morning rush Wednesday, with a small tsunami reaching southern Japanese islands.

B-C residents caught up in Taiwan's biggest earthquake in 25 years are describing shaking so violent and prolonged that one person needed to crouch down to avoid falling over.

The reactions come after Taiwanese rescuers say two Canadians were among a group of 12 people stranded in the island's Taroko National Park, a renowned hiking destination near the epicentre.

Tech firm employee Yvonne Chen, who splits her time between Burnaby and Taipei, says the shaking at her 10th-floor apartment about 150 kilometres from the epicentre was so violent that it shifted a heavy cabinet 15 centimetres from its base.

Chen says she had to crouch to avoid falling, and Taiwanese authorities say at least 9 people have died in the quake.

No damage or injuries were reported in Japan, though residents in the Okinawa region were urged to stay on safe ground until tsunami advisories were lifted.

A powerful earthquake struck near Taiwan bringing down buildings and triggering tsunami warnings in Japan & the Philippines.

I’m advised there is no threat to BC, but I know many with family in Taiwan are concerned for the safety of their loved ones. https://t.co/D365zbpPu4

— David Eby (@Dave_Eby) April 3, 2024

Our thoughts are with the people of #Taiwan following last night's earthquake, and we extend our deepest condolences to those affected. Canada stands ready to assist.

— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) April 3, 2024

Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency gave the magnitude as 7.2 while the U.S. Geological Survey put it at 7.4.