Taiwan earthquake: US, other Taipei allies send messages of support as rescue efforts continue

White House says it is monitoring situation in self-ruled island and its potential impact amid recovery efforts in hard-hit eastern Hualien city
Expressions of condolences and ‘solidarity’ come in from US, Japan, the Philippines, EU, Britain, Guatemala, Paraguay and India

Taiwan

Khushboo Razdanin Washington

Published: 1:00am, 4 Apr 2024

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The US on Wednesday said it was monitoring the situation in Taiwan hours after the strongest earthquake to hit the island in more than two decades struck and prompted an outpouring of support from Taipei’s allies.

The 7.4 magnitude earthquake rocked the eastern side of the island around the county and city of Hualien on Wednesday morning. It left more than 900 injured, at least nine dead and 56 people trapped in two coal mines, tunnels and damaged roads.

“We are monitoring reports of the earthquake impacting Taiwan and continue to monitor its potential impact on Japan,” said US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson in a White House statement.

“The United States stands ready to provide any necessary assistance. All those affected are in our prayers.”

Later on Wednesday, US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said Washington was in “close contact” with the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto American embassy in Taipei, regarding the earthquake and tsunami warnings. He described the relationship with the island as “long-standing” and “rock-solid”.

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings in southern Japan and the Philippines. The alerts were later retracted.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has stated his country is ready to provide any support necessary to Taiwan, “a neighbour across the sea”, according to Kyodo News agency.

“To the people of Taiwan, I am deeply saddened to hear that a large earthquake has occurred in eastern Taiwan, causing extensive damage. I would like to express my heartfelt sympathies to those affected,” Kishida said on X, formerly Twitter.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi in a press conference said Japan had not received any formal request for help and that Taiwan was handling the natural calamity on its own.

Taiwan quake: Taipei rebuffs aid offer from mainland China amid deadly disaster

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr also offered his condolences on X. “Our hearts are with the people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath of today’s powerful earthquake,’’ Marcos said.

“We stand ready to assist and support our fellow Filipinos in Taiwan in any way possible during this difficult period, he added.

US President Joe Biden will host Kishida and Marcos for a summit next week to discuss economic relations and the Indo-Pacific. White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on Wednesday ruled out any change of schedule due to the earthquake.

Video clips shared on social media showed terrified commuters tightly holding on to handrails on trains. The tremors caused building collapses, power outages and landslides. Water from a rooftop pool was seen cascading down like a waterfall.

Schools and workplaces remained closed across Hualien, with high-speed railway service disrupted.

People pray for victims in a car during a rescue operation in Hualien after the earthquake on Wednesday. Photo: AP.

While most damage was reported in the city of Hualien, the strong tremors were felt across the island and as far as Hong Kong. Rescue operations were under way for people trapped in collapsed structures.

“Everything started shaking for about three to four minutes. Nothing like I have experienced before,” Adil Brar, an Indian journalist living in Taipei, told the Post.

Within hours of the disaster, messages of support from leaders around the world began pouring in.

“My heartfelt support goes out to all those affected by the earthquake in #Taiwan,” Charles Michel, president of the European Council, posted on X. “And my condolences to the families of the victims. The EU stands ready to provide any assistance needed.”

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron pledged that “the UK stands ready to support in any way we can”.

Taiwan earthquake disrupts trains in mainland China at start of travel rush

Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo said he wished to “express our closeness to the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the face of the devastating earthquake that has affected the country. Our condolences to each family and to the government”.

Meanwhile, Paraguayan President Santiago Pena affirmed the South American country’s diplomatic ties with Taiwan, expressing “solidarity and support to the government and people of the sister Republic of China (Taiwan) in this difficult moment”.

“Today more than ever we ratify our support,” Pena said.

Guatemala and Paraguay are among a dwindling number of countries worldwide that maintain official diplomatic ties with Taiwan.

Taiwanese Vice-President William Lai Ching-te (centre) shakes hands with rescuers as he visits Hualien. Photo: Taiwan Presidential Office via AP

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary.

Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-governed island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi also sent a message to Taipei on social media, saying he was “deeply saddened by the loss of lives due to earthquakes in Taiwan today”.

“Our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and wishes for a speedy recovery to the injured. We stand in solidarity with the resilient people of Taiwan as they endure the aftermath and recover from it,” Modi added.

Taiwanese Vice-President William Lai Ching-te, who is also the island’s president-elect, described the “outpouring of global support” as “uplifting and deeply appreciated”.

Lai said the island’s earthquake response efforts were in full swing, adding: “My thoughts are with all affected as we work to recover and rebuild.”