HONG KONG, April 4, 2024 (BSS/TASS) - At least 611 people remain trapped in the mountainous Tianxiang region of eastern Taiwan, an emergency response center dealing with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake said.

The people were staying at a hotel in the Taroko National Park when the quake struck. Subsequent rockfalls blocked roads, making it impossible for them to leave the resort on their own.

The strongest earthquake in 25 years hit Taiwan on the morning of April 3. The magnitude 7.2 quake, which was recorded in Hualien County at 7:58 a.m. local time (11:58 p.m. GMT on April 2), was felt all across the island. 

According to seismologists, the epicenter was off the east coast of Taiwan, 25 kilometers southeast of Hualien City, and had a depth of 15.5 kilometers. Tremors were also felt in the provinces of Fujian and Jiangxi in eastern China.

According to the latest data from emergency services, the earthquake killed nine people and left 1,064 injured, while 42 are missing. Another 642 people are waiting for help in hard-to-reach areas.