No Danes hurt in Taiwan earthquake

After a powerful earthquake struck Taiwan on Wednesday, there are no reports of the estimated 450 Danes in the country being injured, according to Peter Sand, manager and director at the Danish Trade office in Taipei. Taiwan’s authorities report little over 400 permanent Danish residents, with a small group possibly being tourists. Current information indicates no Danish casualties, with approximately 1000 people injured and nine fatalities, none of whom are foreigners. Though the impact of the 7.4 magnitude quake was severe, the death toll was less than feared. The quake caused significant damage in Hualien, including building collapses, and was also strongly felt in Taipei, leaving cracks in walls even in earthquake-secured buildings. There have been several aftershocks throughout the day. This quake is the most powerful in 25 years in Taiwan, which frequently experiences smaller tremors. A tsunami warning was issued but later lifted.