An earthquake hit Taiwan and a tsunami threat was declared in the region.

Illustrative photo from open sources

On the morning of Wednesday, April 3, an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 occurred near Taiwan. Authorities in Taiwan and Japan have reported a tsunami threat.

This was reported on the website of the Central Weather Service of Taiwan (CWA).

The epicenter of the earthquake is located approximately 18 kilometers (11 miles) to south of Hualien city. The destruction of houses was recorded in the city.

Residents of the island were sent a notification from the service warning of a larger tsunami that would affect the northern coast.

The Taiwan Earthquake Monitoring Agency estimated the magnitude of the earthquake as 7 ,2. It is the strongest earthquake to hit Taiwan since 1999, when a magnitude 7.7 tremor 93 miles (150 km) south of Taipei killed 2,400 and injured 10,000.

The first 30cm tsunami struck the coast of the remote island of Yonaguni, located 110 km from Taiwan. Japanese authorities warned that higher waves could follow.

The Japan Meteorological Agency also issued a tsunami warning of up to 3 meters for the islands of Miyakojima and Okinawa.

Japanese media reported that The tremors could generate waves up to 3 meters high in some areas of Okinawa Prefecture, located about 1,000 miles south of Tokyo.

People were urged to stay away from the coast and evacuate to areas at higher altitudes.

Prepared by: Sergey Daga