(KRON) — Rescue efforts are underway in Taiwan after the strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century rocked the island nation. The 7.4 earthquake struck during the busy morning rush hour on Wednesday, killing at least 9 people and injuring more than a thousand others.
KRON4 spoke with the head of a local Taiwan organization in the Bay Area and how they are raising funds to support survivors.
The Vice President of the Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California told KRON4 they have a lot of experience in sending relief to the nation used to large earthquakes. However, an earthquake this big is rare.
The intensity of this 7.4 magnitude earthquake was felt all across Tawain. Buildings crashed to the ground, bridges shook and the inside of homes and businesses were destroyed.
“To put it in perspective it’s the largest one in 25 years,” said United States Geological Survey (USGS) Earthquake Seismologist Dr. Walter Mooney.
Mooney says there are less than 10 earthquakes this large a year. So far, nine people have been killed as a result and aftershocks will be a concern during the coming days.
A tsunami warning was issued, but Mooney said there was little chance of that happening.
“The earthquake was quite deep, about 20 miles deep so it wouldn’t be expected by itself to cause a major tsunami because it wasn’t near the sea floor,” Mooney said.
Thousands were injured during the quake and search efforts are now underway to find survivors.
In the Bay Area, the Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California is raising money to help with relief efforts. Vice President Leona Chen says Chinese politics makes that difficult.
“In the past, the PRC has asked that funds be routed first to China before being made its way to Tawain with a means to claim Tawain as part of its province,” Chen said.
For that reason, her organization is sending aid to Taiwan’s Ministry of Health and Wellness.
“I think it will be used to help the survivors and to repair buildings and make sure people are taken care of as urgently and quickly as possible,” Chen said.
The Taiwanese American Federation of Northern California is sending funds to Tawain by check and Zelle. If you’d like to donate, click here.
Rob Nesbitt
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