Smartraveller advises Aussies to exercise “normal safety precautions” if visiting Taiwan

Smartraveller advises Aussies to exercise “normal safety precautions” if visiting Taiwan

Smartraveller has warned Australians to “exercise normal safety precautions” if visiting Taiwan after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake hit the country yesterday.

(Lead Image: Reuters)

In an update on its website, the government body did not warn against visiting the country but recommended avoiding the areas affected.

The 7.4 magnitude hit the coast of Taiwan yesterday. It has caused damage to buildings and infrastructure and has disrupted local transport.

Smarttraveller said to ‘avoid affected areas and follow the advice of local authorities”.

At least nine people have been killed in the tragedy with a further 1000 injured. The quake is believed to have hit 18km south of Hualien.

The earthquake initially triggered a tsunami alert, however these were later downgraded.

The remote region of Hualien was the worst area hit area, with buildings falling, roads being blocked and train lines disrupted.

It is the biggest earthquake to hit the country since 1999 when an earthquake measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale killed more than 2000 people.

 

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

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