A powerful earthquake struck Taiwan on April 3, resulting in nine fatalities and over a thousand injuries. The earthquake, measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale, caused extensive damage to numerous buildings and triggered tsunami warnings that stretched as far as Japan and the Philippines. Social media platforms were flooded with gripping visuals depicting the chaos and devastation caused by the seismic event, including buildings trembling, bridges swaying, and individuals seeking refuge.
Amid the flurry of alarming footage, a particularly chilling video emerged, capturing the harrowing scene of a rooftop swimming pool during the earthquake. In the video, a man finds himself engulfed by the turbulent waves generated by the quake, yet remarkably, he maintains his composure and remains in place. The footage originates from Taipei, the capital city of Taiwan, as reported by news channels.
Another striking video shared on social media showcases the water from a rooftop swimming pool cascading down the side of a skyscraper like a waterfall, further illustrating the sheer force unleashed by the earthquake.
According to the Agence France-Presse (AFP), this earthquake marks the most potent seismic event to strike Taiwan in a quarter of a century, with authorities cautioning of potential aftershocks in the days ahead. Taiwanese officials have confirmed that this is the most formidable earthquake since the catastrophic 7.6 magnitude quake in 1999, which claimed the lives of 2,400 individuals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Taiwan in the wake of the tragedy. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “Deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to earthquakes in Taiwan today. Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. We stand in solidarity with the resilient people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath and recover from it.”
This is not just another funny video on social media. These visuals capture the scary moment a 7.4 earthquake hit Taiwan, even affecting a swimming pool. Prayers for Taiwan & Japan. 🙏 #Taiwan #Japan pic.twitter.com/iuGtutTeMo
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) April 3, 2024