Tsunami warnings issued after 6.9 magnitude earthquake hits Taiwan

The United States Geological Survey said Sunday’s 6.9-magnitude earthquake could send dangerous tsunami waves along coastlines within 300 kilometers of southeast Taiwan.

Japan’s Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami warning for Miyako Island in the East China Sea after the earthquake, which hit rural Taiwan in Yujing, had a depth of 10 km.

News channels show collapsed buildings after a powerful earthquake in southern Taiwan. The USGS initially registered it at 7.2, before downgrading it to 6.9.

According to the report of the official agency of the island, three people are trapped under the debris of a building. A fourth person was rescued.

• Strong quake rocks south-east Taiwan, no reports of damage

According to a report from the Taiwan Railway Administration, about 20 passengers were safely evacuated after the train derailed in the area, but there were no casualties in the incident.

Colas Utaka, a former presidential spokesman, said a local school also reported damage from the quake.