Death Toll In Massive Earthquake In Taiwan Reaches Nine While Over 900 Injured; Rescue Operations Underway

The death toll has risen to nine in the 7.4 magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, which struck the east coast this morning. The tremors severely affected the Hualien region with mountainous terrain and Capital Taipei. Officials have confirmed the death of nine people and said over 900 are injured in the most powerful earthquake in 25 years. Landslides were also trigerred by the earthquake. Rescuers are searching for more than 100 people who are still trapped including 77 people inside the Jinwen and Qingshui mountain tunnels in Hualien county.

Meanwhile, some of the tsunami warnings in neighbouring countries including in Japan have been retracted. Japan has also lifted flight restrictions but people have been asked to remain vigilant.