This photo taken by Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) on April 4, 2024 shows bulldozers being used to remove debris near a damaged building in Hualien, after a major earthquake hit Taiwan’s east. Taiwan rescuers worked on April 4 to reach scores of people trapped in highway tunnels as engineers began a massive clear-up operation a day after the island’s biggest earthquake in a quarter of a century. (Photo by CNA / AFP) / Taiwan OUT – China OUT – Macau OUT / Hong Kong OUT RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE (Photo by -/CNA/AFP via Getty Images)
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A group of Chicago high school students studying in Taiwan is safe after a devastating earthquake struck Wednesday morning, the school says.
St. Ignatius College Prep staff have been in touch with the group of students and staff in Taiwan, who were eating breakfast when the 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck, according to a post on the school’s Facebook page. None of the students or staff were injured.
“The group is in good and brave spirits!” the post reads. “We are SO grateful for that!!!”
The earthquake is the strongest to hit Taiwan in 25 years and at least nine people have died, according to the Associated Press. Search and rescue efforts have been launched for others who may be stuck under the rubble of collapsed buildings. More than 1,000 people have been injured.
The earthquake struck the country’s eastern region near the city of Hualien, and the St. Ignatius group was traveling west to safer ground, according to the school.
Check back for details.