Taiwan experienced its most powerful earthquake in a quarter-century on Wednesday, as a 7.4 magnitude tremor jolted the island’s eastern coast, toppling buildings, triggering landslides, and claiming at least one life.

The seismic event struck at 7:58 a.m. local time, its epicenter located 18 kilometers (11 miles) south of Hualien city, with a depth of 34.8 kilometers (21 miles), according to the US Geological Survey. The quake’s impact reverberated across the island, with CNN staff in Taipei reporting tremors.

The National Fire Agency of Taiwan confirmed one fatality, a hiker in Hualien, while officials continued to assess the extent of casualties, CNN reported.

Damage reports flooded in, depicting a scene of destruction: collapsed buildings trapping occupants, power outages affecting thousands of homes, and a key coastal highway rendered impassable due to landslides and rockfalls, as stated by Taiwanese authorities.

The Central Weather Administration of Taiwan issued a cautionary statement, forecasting significant aftershocks with magnitudes potentially reaching 7 throughout the week.

Initially, tsunami alerts were issued for Taiwan, southern Japan, and the Philippines, prompting flight suspensions and coastal evacuations. However, these warnings were later rescinded as observed waves remained below dangerous levels.

Responding to the crisis, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry deployed military personnel for disaster relief, while educational and occupational activities were suspended amidst ongoing aftershocks.

President Tsai Ing-wen swiftly directed government efforts, emphasizing the importance of swift response and cooperation with local authorities to mitigate the disaster’s impact.

Taiwan, situated within the Pacific Ring of Fire, is no stranger to seismic activity. The latest earthquake marks the most intense since 1999, when a 7.7 magnitude quake south of Taipei claimed thousands of lives.

The aftermath of Wednesday’s tremor revealed a grim scene: at least 26 buildings collapsed, with rescue operations underway for those trapped within. Footage circulated on social media depicted the chaos, with vehicles swaying on highways and structures trembling violently.

The Suhua Highway, a vital coastal route, bore the brunt of the quake, its tunnels shattered and strewn with debris. Reports indicated similar damage on other thoroughfares, with casualties reported from falling rocks.

Hualien County, near the quake’s epicenter and home to Taroko Gorge, a tourist hotspot, faced significant disruption. The region had endured a magnitude 6.2 quake in 2018, claiming multiple lives.

The quake’s impact reverberated beyond Taiwan’s shores, prompting tsunami alerts in Japan’s southern islands. While waves reached heights of nearly half a meter in some areas, the overall threat diminished over time.

As affected regions grapple with the aftermath, attention turns to recovery efforts and bolstering resilience against future seismic events.