Taiwan experienced the strongest earthquake in 25 years with a magnitude of 7.4 off its east coast on Wednesday. The quake caused alarm and led to tsunami warnings in Taiwan and nearby countries. The epicenter of the earthquake was located about 18 kilometers south of Hualien city, according to the US Geological Survey.

In Hualien, several buildings have partially collapsed, and they are now leaning at dangerous angles. This earthquake is the strongest to hit Taiwan in the past 25 years, as confirmed by experts in seismology.

TSMC, a major Taiwanese chipmaking company, has evacuated some of its factories in Hsinchu and southern Taiwan to ensure the safety of its employees. However, TSMC has reassured that its safety systems are functioning normally. The company produces semiconductors for tech giants like Apple and Nvidia.

Videos from Taipei, the capital city, show buildings shaking violently, causing objects to be thrown from shelves and furniture to topple over. In Taiwan's mountainous interior, social media posts reveal that the earthquake triggered large landslides. The full extent of the damage is still being assessed.

Local media outlets have aired footage of residential buildings collapsing, leading to the evacuation of residents from their homes and schools. The earthquake has also resulted in damaged vehicles and stores in disarray, with items thrown about, as shown in videos broadcast by local TVBS.

Japan, a neighboring country, has also been on high alert due to the risk of tsunami waves reaching up to 3 meters along its southwestern coast, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency. Residents have been advised to remain cautious for aftershocks of similar intensity for about a week. The Philippines' seismology agency has issued a tsunami warning as well.

Tremors were felt in parts of southeastern Fujian province in China, as reported by Chinese state media. The authorities are assessing the full impact of the earthquake in the region and taking necessary measures to ensure the safety of affected areas.

Source: BBC News and images are all taken from TVBS/AP