TAIPEI/BEIJING, April 3 (Xinhua) -- A 7.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the sea area near Hualien of China's Taiwan at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday (Beijing Time), followed by multiple aftershocks, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC).

The epicenter was monitored at 23.81 degrees north latitude and 121.74 degrees east longitude, at a depth of 12 km, said a report issued by the CENC.

The warning center of the Ministry of Natural Resources issued a red alert for tsunami after the earthquake, saying a tsunami may be caused in surrounding waters of the epicenter, expected to bring catastrophic effects to the coastal areas including the east of Taipei and Hualien.

Xinhua reporters in Taipei experienced intense tremors as buildings shook continuously for over a minute. Elevators in the reporters' apartment building were suspended from operation.

According to local media reports, strong tremors were felt in various parts of Taiwan, prompting Taipei's metro system to halt operations.

Taiwan's meteorological agency reported that a 7.2-magnitude earthquake struck at 7:58 a.m. Wednesday, with a depth of 15.5 km. The epicenter was located 25 km south-southeast of the Hualien county government. The maximum intensity recorded was 6 magnitude in Hualien County.

Multiple aftershocks measuring from 4.0 to 6.0 magnitudes struck the island's Hualien County and its nearby areas within an hour. Enditem

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