TAIPEI -- The death toll from a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in China's Taiwan has risen to 16, local authorities and media said on Wednesday, adding that the earthquake response has now shifted from emergency relief to recovery and reconstruction.

Three more bodies were found on Wednesday but their identities are yet to be confirmed.

At 7:58 am on April 3, the earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien County. The quake has also resulted in 1,155 people injured, with three still missing.

As of Wednesday, the earthquake has caused a total of 80.96 million new Taiwan dollars (about $2.53 million) in damage to agricultural products as well as private and public facilities, with Hualien County suffering severe losses, according to statistics from the island's agricultural authorities.

TAIPEI - Six people remain unaccounted for after Wednesday's deadly 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the sea area near Hualien county in Taiwan, and search and rescue work is still underway, local authorities said on Sunday.

Five people remain missing in Taroko park in Hualien, including two Australian tourists, and the sixth is missing near a mining area, according to the local emergency operations center.

The fire department said more than 300 people were evacuated on Sunday.

As of 3 pm Sunday, the death toll of the earthquake was 13 and 1,140 people were injured.

A high school student in Southeast China swiftly carried his disabled classmate to safety when he felt tremors from the 7.3-magnitude quake that hit China's Taiwan on Wednesday morning. This heroic act, captured on video, has garnered widespread praise from netizens, CCTV News reported.

The young hero in the video, identified as Zhang Zhixun, is a first-year high school student at the high school campus of Xiamen Shuangshi Middle School of Fujian, located in Xiamen, Fujian province.

The student whom Zhang rescued, nicknamed Lele, suffers from a rare condition that has led to severe atrophy and deformation of his limbs, resulting in extremely limited physical strength.

Lele, who usually relies on a wheelchair for mobility, keeps his wheelchair outside classrooms during school due to the limited room space.

At 7:58 am Wednesday, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien county in Taiwan.

When the tremors hit the school ground, Lele panicked, realizing he was unable to walk or move.

However, the video shows that Zhang soon came to the rescue, carrying Lele out of the classroom and placing him in his wheelchair, ensuring his safe transfer to a secure location along with the other classmates.

Later, when describing his experience, Lele stated that when Zhang came to pick him up, he felt "alive again".

Recalling the tremors caused by the earthquake, Zhang emphasized that he did not hesitate for a moment and his immediate reaction at the time was to ensure that Lele was not left behind, expressing his determination to carry Lele to safety.

HUALIEN, Taiwan - The death toll following a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in China's Taiwan on Wednesday morning has risen to 12, local authorities said on Friday.

As of 12:00 am, 1,106 people have been injured in the earthquake. A total of 682 people remain trapped, and 38 have yet to be located.

At 7:58 am Wednesday, the earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien county in Taiwan.

Aftershocks following the strong earthquake in Taiwan are complicating ongoing search and relief efforts.

Nearly 100 aftershocks, with intensities reaching magnitude 4, were recorded on Wednesday night and early Thursday morning, with their epicenters in Hualien county's coastal area and nearby waters, according to the local meteorological agency.

On Wednesday at 7:58 am, a 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien, killing 10 people and injuring more than 1,000. A total of 660 people were still trapped and 38 missing as of Thursday afternoon, local authorities said.

According to the island's emergency disaster management agency and media reports, the earthquake caused relatively minor damage in areas other than Hualien. Twenty shelters have been established in the county.

Early Thursday morning, a Hualien official told reporters that search and rescue efforts were almost complete, with the exception of Taroko Scenic Area, which was difficult to evacuate in time due to traffic disruptions.

Search and rescue teams arrived from all over Taiwan. Tents and daily necessities were provided to people who were temporarily staying in shelters due to damaged houses.

Meanwhile, railway services in Fujian and Jiangxi provinces have resumed operations after widespread train delays and cancellations due to the earthquake, local railway authorities said on Thursday.

China Railway Nanchang Group in Jiangxi added 97 passenger trains to meet the growing demand during the Qingming Festival holiday, which lasts from Thursday to Saturday.

The Chinese mainland has expressed concern and offered support to Taiwan.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, said on Wednesday that the mainland would closely monitor the situation and any developments, and expressed the mainland's willingness to provide assistance with disaster relief efforts.

Shenzhen Airport in Guangdong province has opened a green channel for passengers and freight flights to Taiwan, and waived related fees.

The Shanghai Taiwan Investors Association has launched a fundraising campaign for affected people and reconstruction efforts.

Many people from the mainland have conveyed their heartfelt condolences to compatriots in Taiwan through social media, with some leaving online comments like "wish you are all safe and sound" and "hope life in Taiwan can return to normal soon".

Xinhua contributed to this story.

HUALIEN, Taiwan - The death toll following a 7.3-magnitude earthquake in China's Taiwan on Wednesday morning has risen to 10, local authorities said on Thursday.

After rescue efforts on Thursday, focused on the Taroko park region in Hualien county, approximately 150 people who had been trapped were rescued, according to an official of the search and rescue team.

As of 9:00 pm, 1,067 people have been injured in the earthquake. A total of 660 people remain trapped, and 38 have yet to be located.

At 7:58 am Wednesday, the earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien county in Taiwan.

The powerful earthquake that jolted China's Taiwan on Wednesday morning has left at least nine dead and more than 1,000 injured, according to local emergency operation center.

The quake left 93 people trapped, including hotel workers, tourists and miners, the center added. Another 52 people are reportedly missing, China Central Television reported on Thursday.

Disaster relief work is underway. Nearly 1,000 people have been evacuated and more than 600 people have been sheltered, the report said.

The 7.3-magnitude quake struck Taiwan's east coast near Hualien at 7:58 am, triggering more than 300 aftershocks occurring at intervals of less than 10 minutes.

"The strong earthquake has damaged 48 residential buildings in Hualien county, with four of them being severely affected," a county official told CCTV News.

The search and rescue operations for residents have concluded at the Uranus building, which endured the most severe damage during the quake. But the building continues to tilt because of gravity and aftershocks, posing a risk of collapse.

Taiwan's most powerful earthquake in a quarter century rocked the island on Wednesday morning, killing at least nine people, injuring more than 900 and causing widespread damage. Over 50 people were reportedly trapped.

The magnitude 7.3 quake struck Taiwan's east coast near Hualien at 7:58 am, triggering more than 100 aftershocks with magnitudes ranging from 3.4 to 6.5.

The epicenter was located at a depth of approximately 12 kilometers on the boundary of the Philippine Sea Plate and the Eurasian Plate, an area prone to seismic activity, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

"The shaking was intense and lasted for almost a minute," a Hualien resident, surnamed Lee, told Beijing News. "It was impossible to stand still, and objects kept falling off the shelves."

Local authorities have announced the suspension of classes in schools and work in government and private offices in Hualien, where a 10-story building collapsed and several others were left leaning precariously following the tremors.

Significant damage has been reported in other parts of Taiwan. Tiles fell from older buildings as the earthquake shook Taipei, and schools evacuated their students to sports fields, equipping them with yellow safety helmets, The Associated Press reported.

Over 300,000 households across the island experienced power outages during the tremors, with more than 80,000 still lacking power despite ongoing repairs.

Local media outlets, such as China Times, reported large-scale traffic disruptions. The roadbed leading to the Taiwan Daqingshui Tunnel fractured, creating a height difference of several meters.

Train services on the Metro Taipei Circular Line, on railway routes across Taiwan and even on some routes in Guangdong, Zhejiang, Jiangxi and Fujian provinces as well as Shanghai were temporarily suspended, but are gradually resuming operations.

Following the earthquake, the China Railway Nanchang Group Co in Jiangxi initiated the top-level emergency response, implemented emergency rescue plans and exempted passengers from ticket cancellation fees.

Operation of passenger and freight trains in the affected areas was halted, and safety inspections on railway lines, bridges and tunnels and of signaling equipment were conducted.

In Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province, railway staff and volunteers were seen assisting stranded passengers, helping them to change tickets or get refunds. Passengers were also stranded at other railway stations in the province, including Quanzhou and Xiamen.

The Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council expressed deep concern and sympathy for those affected by the earthquake and aftershocks. Spokeswoman Zhu Fenglian said the Chinese mainland is paying close attention to the details of the quake and its aftermath, and is willing to provide disaster relief assistance.

The Ministry of Natural Resources, which issued an orange alert for tsunami on Wednesday morning, lifted the second-highest level of warning later in the day. However, the local meteorological bureau in Taiwan warned of potential geological hazards and rains hindering rescue efforts.

Seismologists believe the earthquake resulted from the northward subduction of the Philippine Sea Plate. Wu Chien-fu, head of Taiwan's earthquake monitoring bureau, told China Times that strong aftershocks, ranging from 6.5 to 7.0 on the Richter scale, could occur over the next few days due to the "accumulated pressure".

While Wednesday's quake is the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years, Wu said its impact was less severe than the magnitude 7.6 tremor that struck the island in 1999 due to its offshore epicenter.

Xinhua contributed to this story.

limenghan@chinadaily.com.cn

TAIPEI/BEIJING -- The 7.3-magnitude quake in China's Taiwan on Wednesday morning had left nine people dead and 1,011 people injured as of 10 pm, according to the local emergency operation center.

Meanwhile, more than 100 people were trapped following the earthquake that hit the sea area near Hualien County, Taiwan, data from the center showed.

As of 10 pm, rescuers had successfully saved 24 out of the 25 residents trapped in a severely tilted building in Hualien. Tragically, the last remaining individual, a woman, showed no signs of life when she was rescued.

At least 28 buildings collapsed throughout Taiwan following the earthquake, with 17 of them located in Hualien County. Local authorities reported power outages affecting over 360,000 households, alongside water cuts affecting more than 120,000 households.

According to an official from Taiwan transportation authorities, the railway linking Yilan County and Hualien has been severely disrupted, with multiple collapses and falling rocks reported.

Ongoing aftershocks in Hualien have hindered repair personnel from accessing affected areas, the official said.

The official stated that the current priority is to restore the Taiwan railway service, saying dual-track travel on the rail line section connecting Yilan and Hualien is expected to be restored by Thursday noon.

The earthquake was strongly felt in many parts of Taiwan. In Taipei, the earthquake caused damage to some school buildings. According to statistics from the Taipei education authorities, as of Wednesday noon, 201 schools and kindergartens reported that they had sustained damages, with six schools announcing class suspensions.

Taichung City, located near Hualien, also experienced severe shaking. The earthquake led to two incidents where falling rocks struck cars, resulting in 2 injuries. Additionally, the earthquake temporarily caused power outages for over 14,000 households in Taichung.

Taiwan's meteorological agency called the earthquake the strongest one to hit the island in 25 years since a deadly quake struck on Sept 21, 1999.

A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said that the mainland is highly concerned about the situation and extends sincere sympathy to the Taiwan compatriots affected by the disaster.

The mainland is ready to provide disaster relief assistance, said spokesperson Zhu Fenglian.

The quake struck at 7:58 am Wednesday (Beijing Time) and the epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Following the earthquake, the Ministry of Natural Resources warning center issued tsunami alerts, which have been later lifted.

The quake triggered a local tsunami near the epicenter, causing a disastrous impact on parts of Taiwan's coastal areas, the warning center said, adding that the tsunami disaster process had basically ended.

According to Taiwan's meteorological agency, the epicenter of the earthquake was located 25 km south-southeast of Hualien. The maximum intensity recorded was 6 magnitude in Hualien County.

Local authorities have announced the suspension of work and school classes in Hualien.

Multiple residential buildings partially collapsed in Hualien, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Falling rocks were also reported in hilly areas.

A rubber factory building in New Taipei City collapsed due to the quake.

Subways in multiple counties and cities on the island have been temporarily suspended. In Taipei, intense shaking lasting at least one minute led to the suspension of metro operations for 40 to 60 minutes.

As of 10:37 pm, 216 aftershocks had been recorded in Hualien and nearby areas, according to Taiwan's meteorological agency.

The agency also predicted earthquakes measuring magnitude 7 might happen in the next three days.

Across the Taiwan Strait, tremors were also felt in Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu on the Chinese mainland.

TAIPEI/BEIJING -- Four people died and another 97 were injured in a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the sea area near Hualien in China's Taiwan on Wednesday morning.

One driver was fatally struck by falling rocks, while the other three lost their lives on a trail inside a major tourist attraction in Hualien county, according to local media, citing fire department data.

Taiwan's meteorological agency recorded the quake as measuring 7.2 magnitude, calling it the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years since a deadly quake struck on Sept 21, 1999.

A spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council said that the mainland is highly concerned about the situation and extends sincere sympathy to the Taiwan compatriots affected by the disaster.

The mainland is ready to provide disaster relief assistance, said spokesperson Zhu Fenglian.

The quake struck at 7:58 am Wednesday (Beijing Time) and the epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

Following the earthquake, the Ministry of Natural Resources warning center issued tsunami alerts, which have been lifted as of press time.

The quake triggered a local tsunami near the epicenter, causing a disastrous impact on parts of Taiwan's coastal areas, the warning center said, adding that the tsunami disaster process had basically ended.

According to Taiwan's meteorological agency, the earthquake was monitored at a depth of 15.5 km. The epicenter was located 25 km south-southeast of Hualien. The maximum intensity recorded was 6 magnitude in Hualien county.

Local authorities have announced the suspension of work and school classes in Hualien.

Strong tremors were felt across Taiwan. Xinhua reporters in Taipei experienced intense tremors as buildings shook continuously for over a minute. Elevators in the reporters' apartment building were suspended from operation.

Multiple residential buildings partially collapsed in Hualien, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Falling rocks were also reported in hilly areas.

A rubber factory building in New Taipei City collapsed due to the quake.

Subways in multiple counties and cities on the island have been temporarily suspended. Taipei's metro system resumed operation after being suspended for around one hour.

Multiple aftershocks measuring above 5.0 magnitude hit Hualien and nearby areas.

Taiwan's meteorological agency also predicted earthquakes measuring magnitude 7 might happen in the next three days.

Across the Taiwan Strait, tremors were also felt in Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu on the Chinese mainland.

The train services on the affected railway lines, mainly in eastern part of the mainland after the earthquake in Taiwan, resumed on Wednesday afternoon, according to Guangzhou Railway Group.

A total of 49 high-speed trains along the Hangzhou-Shenzhen and Ningbo-Guangzhou railways were suspended due to the earthquake, according to Guangzhou Railway Group.

According to a statement released by Guangzhou Railway Group on Wednesday, the move aims to ensure the safety of railway operation and safety of passengers. More than 9.3 million people in nine cities and 54 counties were affected in the province.

The affected railway lines mainly include the tracks that link Fujian province, which faces Taiwan across the Taiwan Strait, to Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces in eastern and southern parts of the mainland, the statement said.

Meanwhile some high-speed trains on the Shanghai-Kunming line have adjusted their operating sections or are making detours to ensure the safety of railway operation, it said.

The statement urged passengers to pay attention to further notifications from the railway department.

The Ministry of Natural Resources issued a second-highest level orange tsunami alert on Wednesday morning following a strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake in Hualien.

The ministry's tsunami warning center warned of potential local tsunamis near the epicenter close to Hualien on the east coast of China's Taiwan. These localized waves could cause significant damage in affected coastal areas.

The earthquake struck at 7:58 am at a depth of approximately 12 kilometers. The China Earthquake Networks Center located the epicenter at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude.

The Chinese mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday expressed concern and offered assistance to Taiwan following a strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the island earlier that day.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the office, stated the mainland's deep concern for the situation and extended heartfelt condolences to those affected in Taiwan. She emphasized the mainland is close monitoring of developments and is willing to provide support for disaster relief efforts.

The earthquake struck near Hualien on Taiwan's east coast at 7:58 am, triggering aftershocks. According to Taiwan media reports, buildings in Hualien's downtown area sustained damage, with some collapsing entirely. Landslides were also reported, causing damage to vehicles. While no casualties have been confirmed yet, local authorities have suspended work and classes as a precaution.

The Ministry of Natural Resources on the Chinese mainland on Wednesday issued a second-highest level orange tsunami alert, warning of potential localized waves that could cause significant damage in affected coastal areas.

The Ministry of Natural Resources issued a second-highest level orange tsunami alert on Wednesday morning following a strong 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

The ministry's tsunami warning center warned of potential local tsunamis near the epicenter close to Hualien on the east coast of China's Taiwan. These localized waves could cause significant damage in affected coastal areas.

The earthquake struck at 7:58 am at a depth of approximately 12 kilometers. The China Earthquake Networks Center located the epicenter at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude.

BEIJING -- China issued a red alert for tsunami after an earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of Taiwan at 7:58 am on Wednesday.

According to the warning center of the Ministry of Natural Resources, a tsunami may be caused in surrounding waters of the quake's focus, expected to bring catastrophic effects to the coastal areas including the east of Taipei and Hualien.

China has a four-tier, color-coded warning system for tsunami, with red representing the most severe warning.

TOKYO - Japan's weather agency on Wednesday downgraded a tsunami warning for islands of the southern Okinawa prefecture to a tsunami advisory, while still urging people there to stay away from coastal areas.

A 30-centimeter tsunami was observed at the island of Yonaguni at 9:18 am local time, while small waves of 20 centimeters also reached Ishigaki island and Miyakojima island, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA).

Weather officials warned of the possibility of larger tsunami of up to 3 meters in the region, urging residents in affected areas to evacuate to higher ground or safe places as soon as possible.

This was the first time the JMA issued a tsunami warning for the coastal areas of Okinawa prefecture since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami.

Flights were suspended at the prefecture's main Naha airport following issuance of the tsunami warning, with passengers urged to move to higher floors of the terminal building, its operator said. The airport is located on the coast of the main island of the prefecture.

The tsunami warning was issued after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of China's Taiwan earlier in the day.

6.0-magnitude quake hits China's Taiwan

TAIPEI/BEIJING -- A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien in China's Taiwan on Wednesday, leading to the suspension of work and school classes in Hualien.

The quake struck at 7:58 am Wednesday (Beijing Time) and the epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center.

The Ministry of Natural Resources warning center issued a red alert for a tsunami soon after the earthquake. It later issued an orange alert for tsunami.

Taiwan's meteorological agency measured the quake as 7.2 magnitude, saying it was the strongest earthquake to hit the island in 25 years since a deadly earthquake struck on Sept 21, 1999.

According to the agency, the earthquake was monitored at a depth of 15.5 km. The epicenter was located 25 km south-southeast of Hualien. The maximum intensity recorded was 6 magnitude in Hualien county.

Local authorities have announced the suspension of work and school classes in Hualien.

Strong tremors were felt across Taiwan. Xinhua reporters in Taipei experienced intense tremors as buildings shook continuously for over a minute. Elevators in the reporters' apartment building were suspended from operation.

Multiple residential buildings partially collapsed in Hualien, forcing the evacuation of hundreds of residents. Falling rocks were also reported in hilly areas.

A rubber factory building in New Taipei City collapsed due to the quake.

Subways in multiple counties and cities on the island have been temporarily suspended. Taipei's metro system resumed operation after being suspended for around one hour.

Multiple aftershocks measuring above 5.0 magnitude hit Hualien and nearby areas.

Taiwan's meteorological agency also predicted earthquakes measuring magnitude 7 might happen in the next three days.

Across the Taiwan Strait, tremors were also felt in Fujian, Guangdong, Shanghai, Zhejiang and Jiangsu on the Chinese mainland.