A strong earthquake rocks entire island of Taiwan, collapsing buildings; tsunami alert issued

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2-7.5 struck off Taiwan, causing buildings to collapse and rocking the entire island. Japan issued a tsunami alert for Okinawa with a forecast of up to 3 meters. The quake hit at 7:58 am and was felt in Taipei. Buildings in Hualien were seen shaking off their foundations.

A powerful earthquake struck off Taiwan early Wednesday, rocking the entire island and collapsing buildings. Japan issued a tsunami alert for the southern Japanese island group of Okinawa.

Japan's meteorological agency forecast a tsunami of up to 3 metres (9.8 feet).

Taiwan's earthquake monitoring agency gave the magnitude as 7.2 while the US Geological Survey put it at 7.5.

Television showed buildings in the eastern city of Hualien shaken off their foundations.

The quake came at 7:58 am and could be felt in the capital Taipei.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)