Rescuers in Taiwan scrambled to free dozens of people trapped in highway tunnels after the island was struck by its strongest earthquake in 25 years Wednesday, killing at least nine and injuring more than 800 others.

The powerful 7.4 magnitude tremor shook the island’s east coast, hitting at 7:58 a.m. local time 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien city and at a depth of 34.8 kilometers (21 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. It was followed by several strong aftershocks with tremors felt across the island, including by CNN staff in the capital Taipei.

Taiwan’s National Fire Agency (NFA) said in an update on Wednesday that the death toll had risen to nine, while 882 people have been injured.

  • huginn
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    3 months ago

    Taiwan, a self-ruled island east of mainland China,

    If only there were a name for an independent self ruled populace on a body of land. It would make it so easier than writing “The United States, a self-ruled chunk of land north of mainland Mexico”.

    Why even put such a mealy mouthed statement in CNN? If you’re not going to call Taiwan a country you could’ve just said “Taiwan”. People who don’t know where Taiwan is don’t care where Taiwan is.

    • Stovetop@lemmy.world
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      3 months ago

      Don’t want to lose those lucrative Chinese sponsorships.

      This is the problem when you’ve got news agencies owned by large media conglomerates. Whatever CNN says could impact Warner Bros Discovery (god that still feels gross to type) and so everything must be softened to protect the corporate interests.

      • AnUnusualRelic@lemmy.world
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        3 months ago

        Just calling Taiwan, Taiwan would probably be ok. Or does China insist on it being called “the Taiwanese province of the benevolent and loving Cinese People’s Republic”?