As per Central Emergency Operation Center, as of 7 am Thursday, the number of deaths has reached nine, with 1,038 injured, 96 trapped, and 52 missing, reported CNA

Relief efforts are concentrated on Hualien, along the rugged and scenic east coast, where numerous buildings were left precarious with collapsed lower floors. Bridges and tunnels were destroyed, while roads suffered damage from rocks and landslides

Workers start demolishing buildings and rescuing individuals trapped inside, visuals coming from Taiwan

The casualties, all reported in Hualien, encompass four victims in Taroko Gorge, two near the Dachingshui and Huide tunnels, one in a residential building in Hualien City, and one in the Hejen mining area, with most resulting from rockfalls, as per CNA

Emergency crews are rushing to free people trapped by the earthquake and ensuing landslides

Among those trapped are three people in a mine in Hualien's Heren Mining Area, 64 people in Heping Mine, five employees of Silks Place Hotel, and 24 tourists in Taroko Gorge's Tunnel of Nine Turns

Taipower has reported that power has been returned to 70 per cent of all households and businesses that experienced power outages. Taiwan Water also said that water supply is normal in all districts and has dispatched personnel to conduct pipeline inspections and inspections at 13 reservoirs, per CNA

According to CNA, Taiwan's Nuclear Safety Commission said all nuclear power plants are operating normally and will pay attention to subsequent aftershocks. It will also continue to carry out inspections and monitoring of plants

Taoyuan International Airport Corporation said it has set up a response center and that operations are normal. However, parts of ceilings, walls, and sprinkler heads fell in the terminal, and two outbound and one Vietnamese passenger were slightly injured