Hualien earthquake leaves 4 dead, 57 injured

Taipei, April 3 (CNA) A magnitude 7.2 earthquake that struck Taiwan Wednesday has left four people dead and 57 injured, according to the latest figures compiled by the Central Emergency Operation Center.

The earthquake struck off the coast of Hualien County in eastern Taiwan and was felt by people around Taiwan.

Update

April 8

● A true scout: How Greek national led others to safety in Taroko Gorge

● Hualien could lose NT$5.3 billion in April tourism income after quake

● Turkish rescuer workers assist Taiwan's quake relief efforts

April 7

● Donations for quake relief top NT$116.84 million as rescue effort continues

● Filipino envoy visits Hualien, expresses Manila's sympathy over quake

April 6:Bolivia expressing concern to China over Taiwan quake 'serious mistake': MOFA

April 5:Earthquake survivor's horrifying account: Rocks falling like bullets

April 4:Over 360 aftershocks strike Taiwan following magnitude 7.2 quake

April 3: Taiwan earthquake island's strongest in 25 years: CWA

In Hualien alone, 44 people were injured, and all four deaths occurred there. One was the driver of a truck that was hit by falling rocks near the Daqingshui Tunnel on the Suhua Highway, and the other three were hikers hit by falling rocks on Dekalun Trail in Taroko National Park.

Elsewhere, seven people were injured in New Taipei, two were injured in Yilan County, and Keelung, Taipei, Taoyuan and Taichung cities each reported an injury.

The earthquake and resulting landslides and rockslides on sections of the Suhua Highway near the Chongde and Daqingshui tunnels also damaged the highway's roads, leading to road closures.

According to the Ministry of Transportation's Highway Bureau, the section between Su'ao and Chongde along Provincial Highway No. 9 (the new Suhua Highway) and the section between Su'ao and Daqingshui along Provincial Highway No. 9D (the old Suhua Highway) have been closed.

Also closed is the section of Provincial Highway No. 8 between Dayuling and Taroko.

Several roads in Taroko National Park were also damaged, leaving many people unable to leave the park or get around.