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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
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Khushboo Razdanin Washington
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.
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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”.
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