Hualien: A red building is partially collapsed after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024.

Hualien: A red building is partially collapsed after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake rocked the entire island on April 3, 2024. / VCG via Getty Images

Taiwan has been hit by the strongest earthquake in a quarter of a century.

In Taiwan, at least 9 people are dead and hundreds are injured after a strong magnitude 7.4 earthquake hit the east coast during morning rush hour. More than 100 strong aftershocks have occurred.

Officials say dozens were trapped and many buildings were damaged especially in the city of Hualien where a 10-story building partially collapsed and leaning.

Earthquakes are common in the area. Taiwan is in the so called ring of fire of seismic activity.

New Taipei City: A vehicle in a collapsed road following an earthquake

New Taipei City: A vehicle in a collapsed road following an earthquake / Bloomberg/Getty Images

Hualien: Kaohsiung Fire Department staff search inside a building for rescue operation.

Hualien: Kaohsiung Fire Department staff search inside a building for rescue operation. / Anadolu/Getty Images

Hualien: Rocks blocked the road after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast.

Hualien: Rocks blocked the road after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast. / Anadolu/Getty Images

Hualien: 6th Mixed Wing of the Air Force, and the 10th Airlift Group dispatch three batches and three sorties of C-130 aircraft to carry out disaster relief operations and carry rescuers as members of a search and rescue team prepare after a strong earthquake.

Hualien: 6th Mixed Wing of the Air Force, and the 10th Airlift Group dispatch three batches and three sorties of C-130 aircraft to carry out disaster relief operations and carry rescuers as members of a search and rescue team prepare after a strong earthquake. / Anadolu/Getty Images

New Taipei City: An elevated track for the New Taipei Metro is damaged.

New Taipei City: An elevated track for the New Taipei Metro is damaged. / China News Service/Getty Images

Hualien: Rocks fell and blocked the road after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast. The Guguan Works Section sent out machines and tools to open the area, and called on people who wanted to enter the mountainous area to pay attention to the road conditions.

Hualien: Rocks fell and blocked the road after a magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off Taiwan's eastern coast. The Guguan Works Section sent out machines and tools to open the area, and called on people who wanted to enter the mountainous area to pay attention to the road conditions. / Anadolu/Getty Images

Hualien: Rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east.

Hualien: Rescue workers searching for survivors at the damaged Uranus Building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan's east. / AFPTV/AFP/ Getty Images

Tags: Taiwan  Taiwan earthquake