Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in 25 years kills nine and leaves dozens trapped

A man looks at the cordoned off site of a leaning building in the aftermath of an earthquake in Hualien, eastern Taiwan on Wednesday, April 3, 2024. Taiwan's strongest earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island during the morning rush hour Wednesday, damaging buildings and highways (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)

Taiwan’s strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century has rocked the island during the morning rush hour, damaging buildings and major roads, and leaving nine people dead.

The quake, which also injured hundreds, was centred off the coast of the rural, mountainous Hualien County, where some buildings leaned at severe angles, their ground floors crushed.