In a devastating turn of events, Taiwan was struck by a powerful earthquake early Wednesday morning, resulting in chaos and destruction across the island. The quake, which measured 7.4 on the Richter scale, claimed the lives of at least 9 individuals and left over 900 injured, with countless others trapped in the wreckage.

Hualien County, situated on Taiwan's east coast, bore the brunt of the quake with its infrastructure reduced to rubble. Roads and tunnels crumbled, leaving many stranded and in need of rescue. The impact of the disaster was felt in the capital city of Taipei as well.

Tragically, the quake also led to casualties in popular tourist spots such as Taroko Gorge, where hikers were hit by falling rocks.

The widespread destruction has left thousands of homes and buildings damaged, with power outages and landslides adding to the chaos.

Emergency response teams have been deployed to aid in rescue efforts and provide medical assistance to the injured. With the extent of the devastation becoming increasingly clear, authorities anticipate a long road to recovery ahead. Stay tuned for further updates on this developing situation.